ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — David Bolden scored 15 points and Sebastian Robinson added 17 as NJIT built a steady first-half lead and withstood a second-half rally to defeat Albany 77-68 in an America East Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at SEFCU Arena.

A crowd of 2,006 saw the visiting Highlanders improve to 10-12 overall and 5-4 in league play. The Great Danes fell to 7-15 and 3-6.

The most critical phase of the contest came late in the second half after Albany, trailing by as many as 13 points, mounted a sustained comeback to close within a single possession. The Great Danes, fueled by guard Amir Lindsey’s game-high 23 points, cut the deficit to 62-60 on two Abdoulaye Fall free throws with just over three minutes remaining.

NJIT responded decisively. On the ensuing possession, Bolden found Quentin Duncan for a clutch 3-pointer from the wing, pushing the lead back to five. Following an Albany turnover, Robinson hit a stepback jumper to extend the advantage to 67-60 with 2:46 left, forcing an Albany timeout. The Highlanders’ defense then locked in, holding Albany without a field goal for over two minutes while making enough free throws down the stretch to secure the road victory.

The game began at a frantic pace, with both teams trading baskets. Albany’s Okechukwu Okeke opened the scoring with a dunk, but Bolden answered immediately with a 3-pointer for NJIT. The Highlanders began to create separation midway through the first half with a 13-4 run, keyed by interior scoring from Melvyn Ebonkoli and Ari Fulton. Robinson’s driving layup with 6:52 left in the half gave NJIT a 23-18 lead, a margin they would not relinquish.

NJIT took a 39-33 lead into halftime, thanks in part to balanced scoring and forcing nine Albany turnovers. The Highlanders’ bench provided a significant spark, with Duncan scoring all 16 of his points in the first half, including two 3-pointers in the final 90 seconds to help maintain the cushion.

Albany came out aggressively after the break, with Lindsey and Fall combining to score the team’s first nine points of the half. A layup by Lindsey at the 16:20 mark cut the NJIT lead to 42-40, the closest the Great Danes had been since the opening minutes. Each time Albany threatened, however, NJIT had an answer, often from Duncan or Robinson.

Lindsey, who played 40 minutes and added six assists, kept Albany within striking distance throughout the second half. His driving layup and free throw with 3:33 left culminated the rally that brought Albany within two, setting the stage for NJIT’s final push.

Ebonkoli provided a strong interior presence for NJIT with 13 points, three blocks and nine rebounds. Fulton finished with 11 points and a key block on Lindsey during the second half. For Albany, Fall scored 14 points and Okeke added eight points and two blocks. Isaac Abidde contributed eight points off the bench for the Great Danes.

NJIT, which entered the game as a 4.5-point underdog according to sportsbooks, won its second straight conference game. The Highlanders travel to face first-place Vermont on Saturday. Albany, which was projected by analytics to have a nearly 75% chance to win, looks to rebound at home against Maryland-Baltimore County, also on Saturday.

The total points scored, 145, went over the pregame over/under line of 138.