LEE, N.H. (Interstat) — In a gritty America East Conference clash that saw 15 lead changes and neither team lead by more than nine points, the NJIT Highlanders withstood a second-half surge from the New Hampshire Wildcats to secure a 76-70 victory on Thursday night at Lundholm Gym.

The Highlanders, who led by seven at halftime, saw that advantage evaporate completely early in the second period as the Wildcats chipped away with determined play in the paint. However, the scoring tandem of Sebastian Robinson and Ari Fulton, combined with crucial defensive stops down the stretch, allowed NJIT to reclaim control and snap a brief two-game skid in the series, having lost to New Hampshire earlier in the season.

Robinson, a guard from Montclair, New Jersey, was the catalyst for the Highlanders, finishing with a game-high 23 points in 34 minutes, including several key baskets to stifle New Hampshire rallies. Forward Ari Fulton of Fayetteville, North Carolina, provided a powerful inside presence, adding 18 points and critical defense. Jordan Rogers of Ridgewood, New Jersey, facilitated the offense with 10 points and five assists.

The Wildcats were led by guard KiJan Robinson of Apopka, Florida, who scored 16 points, and forward Comeh Emuobor of Raleigh, North Carolina, who contributed 15. Center Belal El Shakery of Alexandria, Egypt, battled inside for 10 points, but the Wildcats ultimately could not overcome a 42-30 deficit in points in the paint and 17 NJIT fastbreak points.

The game’s most pivotal sequence came not with a single shot, but with a sustained defensive effort by NJIT midway through the second half. After New Hampshire’s Tyler Bike connected on a 3-pointer to tie the game at 37 with 16:17 remaining, the Wildcats’ offense stalled. Over the next four minutes, NJIT forced three turnovers and held New Hampshire to just one field goal attempt, sparking a 9-2 run. The surge was capped by a Malachi Arrington layup off a feed from Jordan Rogers and a thunderous Ari Fulton dunk on a fast break, pushing the Highlanders’ lead to 46-39 and forcing a New Hampshire timeout.

New Hampshire refused to fold, drawing within a single possession on multiple occasions in the final minutes. A KiJan Robinson 3-pointer cut the deficit to 63-60 with just over a minute to play, but Sebastian Robinson answered immediately with a clutch 3-pointer of his own on the ensuing possession to restore a six-point cushion with 1:30 on the clock. The Wildcats would get no closer than four points the rest of the way as NJIT sealed the game at the free-throw line.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair characterized by runs. NJIT built an early 7-2 lead, but New Hampshire responded with a 15-4 spurt, fueled by Belal El Shakery’s work inside and Jack Graham’s perimeter shooting, to take a 17-11 advantage. The Highlanders countered with a run of their own, closing the half on a 28-15 swing to take a 39-32 lead into the break, largely behind Robinson’s 13 first-half points.

With the win, NJIT improves to 14-12 overall and continues its push in the America East standings. The Highlanders have now won four of their last five conference games. New Hampshire falls to 8-15 on the season and has lost three of its last four.

NJIT shot effectively from the floor and capitalized on its opportunities in transition and near the basket. The Highlanders also managed 14 points off 10 New Hampshire turnovers. The Wildcats struggled from 3-point range and were narrowly outrebounded in a physically contested game.

The announced attendance was 338. NJIT will look to continue its momentum on the road against Maine on Saturday. New Hampshire will host Maryland-Baltimore County on the same day.