VESTAL, N.Y. (Interstat) — Sebastian Robinson scored 22 points and NJIT used a decisive second-half surge to overcome a halftime deficit and defeat Binghamton 73-65 in an America East Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at the Events Center.

In a matchup of teams seeking momentum in league play, the visiting Highlanders (6-10, 1-0 America East) outscored the Bearcats 39-28 after intermission, turning a three-point deficit into their second road victory of the season. Binghamton (4-12, 0-1) lost its conference opener despite a more efficient offensive performance, as NJIT’s advantages in rebounding and points off turnovers proved critical.

The most important stretch of the game came early in the second half, with NJIT erasing Binghamton’s lead and building one of its own. Trailing 37-34 at the break, the Highlanders opened the final period with a 12-4 run over the first six minutes. The sequence was fueled by defense and the interior presence of Melvyn Ebonkoli, who scored six points during the spurt, including a putback layup and free throw to complete a three-point play that gave NJIT a 43-41 lead with 18:05 remaining. The Highlanders never trailed again.

Binghamton, which had led for nearly the entire first half, saw its offense stagnate against a tightened NJIT defense. The Bearcats committed five of their 11 turnovers in the first eight minutes of the second half, leading directly to eight Highlander points. NJIT finished with a 20-8 advantage in points off turnovers, a key disparity in an otherwise tightly contested game.

Robinson, a guard from Montclair, New Jersey, was the catalyst for NJIT, adding three rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes. His driving layup and free throw with 7:49 to play pushed the lead to 56-51, and he consistently answered Binghamton pushes with timely baskets. Ebonkoli, a forward from Trappes, France, provided a strong complement with 16 points and eight rebounds, dominating the paint where NJIT held a 34-26 scoring edge.

The Bearcats were led by Ryan Richardson with 16 points and four assists, while Bryson Wilson added 15 points. Binghamton shot a solid 48.7% from the field and 40% from three-point range but was hampered by a lack of second chances, grabbing only three offensive rebounds to NJIT’s seven. The Highlanders’ work on the glass resulted in 12 more field goal attempts.

NJIT struggled from the floor, making just 25 of 54 attempts (46.3%), but compensated by getting to the free-throw line and converting, hitting 17 of 22. Binghamton was 21 of 26 from the stripe.

The first half featured six ties and five lead changes, with Binghamton building its largest lead at 26-17 following a Bryson Wilson three-pointer with 6:17 left. NJIT closed the gap with a 9-2 run, capped by a Sebastian Robinson three-pointer just before the halftime buzzer, to trail 37-34 at intermission.

Jackson Benigni finished with nine points and six rebounds for Binghamton, while NJIT’s David Bolden contributed 12 points, four rebounds and three assists.

The announced attendance at the Binghamton University Events Center was 1,456.

NJIT, which entered the game having lost three of its last four, opens its conference schedule with a win. Binghamton has now lost three straight and six of its last seven.

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NJIT: Hosts New Hampshire on Thursday night. Binghamton: Visits Vermont on Thursday night.