LOWELL, Mass. (Interstat) — A dominant first-half defensive performance and a career-high scoring night from Ari Fulton propelled the NJIT Highlanders to a 73-64 road victory over the Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks in an America East Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Costello Athletic Center.

The most important part of the game was unquestionably the opening period, where NJIT built an insurmountable 19-point lead by completely stifling the River Hawks’ offense. The Highlanders held Massachusetts-Lowell to a paltry 17 first-half points on 6-of-30 shooting from the floor, forcing eight turnovers and blocking three shots. That defensive stand allowed NJIT to take a 36-17 lead into halftime, a cushion that proved vital against a furious but ultimately insufficient second-half rally by the home team.

Fulton, a 6-foot-7 junior from Fayetteville, North Carolina, was the offensive catalyst for NJIT, scoring 24 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including three 3-pointers, and adding two assists. He was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line, with several coming in the closing minutes to help seal the game. Sebastian Robinson, a guard from Montclair, New Jersey, supported him with 20 points and three assists.

The River Hawks, who came in with an 88.8% probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system, awoke after the break. Led by Angel Montas, who scored all of his team-high 22 points in the second half, Massachusetts-Lowell erupted for 47 points, repeatedly cutting into the large deficit. A Montas layup with 16 seconds remaining brought the River Hawks to within 71-64, but by then it was too late to complete the comeback.

Massachusetts-Lowell’s surge was fueled by improved shooting and defensive pressure, outscoring NJIT 47-37 in the half and scoring 10 fast-break points to the Highlanders’ three. Darrel Yepdo of Dracut, Massachusetts, added 11 points and three assists for the River Hawks.

Despite the second-half onslaught, NJIT’s efficiency at the free-throw line and its care with the basketball were decisive. The Highlanders made 19 of 24 free throws, compared to 18 of 25 for Massachusetts-Lowell, and committed only seven turnovers, forcing 12. NJIT also won despite being outrebounded 38-33 and tallying just six total assists.

Melvyn Ebonkoli contributed eight points, two blocks and two steals for NJIT, while Austin Green had nine points and two blocks for Massachusetts-Lowell.

The game was a matchup of teams with identical records, and the result left both at 8-11 overall. The announced attendance was 472. The total points scored, 137, fell well under the over/under line of 149.5.

NJIT, which had lost two of its last three conference games, will look to build on the win when it hosts Bryant on Monday. Massachusetts-Lowell, which saw a two-game winning streak snapped, will host Vermont next Thursday. The teams will meet again in Newark, New Jersey, on Feb. 5.