NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant first-half performance and a furious second-half rally that fell just short, the Maine Black Bears secured a rare road victory, holding off the NJIT Highlanders 74-70 in an America East Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Fleisher Athletic Center.

The Black Bears, who entered the contest with just two wins on the season, built a commanding 37-29 halftime lead behind efficient shooting and a disruptive defensive effort. Maine shot 53.3% from the field in the opening period, including 5 of 10 from three-point range, while limiting NJIT to 29 points on 10-of-30 shooting. The Highlanders’ early struggles were compounded by 10 first-half turnovers, which Maine converted into a 14-2 advantage in points off turnovers for the game, a critical margin in the tight finish.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the second half as NJIT guard Sebastian Robinson, a junior from Montclair, New Jersey, almost single-handedly willed his team back into contention. After being held to just two points in the first half, Robinson erupted for 22 of his game-high 24 points after the break. His personal 8-0 run early in the second half, capped by a layup with 17:28 remaining, quickly cut Maine’s lead to 37-35 and ignited the home crowd of 343.

Robinson’s driving layup with 1:59 to play brought NJIT within 65-63, marking the closest the Highlanders had been since the opening minutes. The Highlanders had multiple opportunities to tie or take the lead in the final two minutes but were undone by missed free throws and key defensive stops by Maine.

Maine’s answer to every NJIT surge came primarily from forward TJ Biel, a 6-foot-9 sophomore from Calgary, Canada. Biel scored 21 points, including several crucial baskets to stem NJIT momentum. His three-pointer with 7:00 left in the game pushed Maine’s lead back to 61-56 after NJIT had closed within a possession. He also calmly sank two free throws with 1:38 remaining to extend the lead to 67-63 after Robinson’s layup.

The Black Bears showcased superior offensive efficiency, scoring 74 points on just 64 possessions for an offensive rating of 114.9. They shot 53.3% from the field overall and 45% from beyond the arc. NJIT, despite attempting 11 more shots, was held to 39.3% shooting and just 4 of 14 from three-point range. The Highlanders kept the game close by excelling at the free-throw line, making 22 of 26 attempts, and by winning the battle on the offensive glass 9-4.

Maine received significant contributions beyond Biel. Guard Logan Carey of Shelton, Connecticut, provided steady play with 11 points and five assists. Forward Yanis Bamba of Montreal, Canada, added 14 points off the bench, including three three-pointers. Forward Ace Flagg of Newport, Maine, contributed 10 points and key defensive plays, including a block just before halftime that preserved Maine’s lead.

For NJIT, Robinson’s 24-point effort on 10-of-19 shooting was the standout. Guard Jordan Rogers of Ridgewood, New Jersey, added nine points and three assists, while forward John Kelly of Hillsborough, New Jersey, provided a spark off the bench with nine points, all from the free-throw line. The Highlanders’ backcourt of David Bolden and Ari Fulton combined for 15 points and five assists but shot just 6 of 19 from the field.

The victory improved Maine’s record to 3-14 overall and marked its first conference win. NJIT fell to 7-11. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Orono, Maine, on Feb. 14.

The game’s outcome defied the pregame metrics, as Interstat’s ELO system had given NJIT a 51.9% probability to win, and the Highlanders were installed as 1.5-point favorites. The total score of 144 also surpassed the over/under line of 129. Ultimately, Maine’s early execution and poise down the stretch proved the difference, as they weathered Robinson’s spectacular second-half performance to escape with a hard-fought road win.