LEIPSIC, Del. (Interstat) — A dominant second-half performance propelled the NJIT Highlanders to a 75-62 victory over the Delaware State Hornets in a non-conference women’s basketball game Monday afternoon at a sparsely attended Memorial Hall.

The Highlanders, who improved to 9-4, trailed by eight points at halftime but outscored the Hornets 48-27 over the final two quarters to secure the win. Delaware State fell to 3-12 with the loss.

The game’s decisive shift occurred in the third quarter. After a sluggish first half where they shot poorly and managed only 27 points, the Highlanders emerged from the locker room with renewed energy. They opened the third quarter on a 10-2 run, erasing the deficit and seizing control. The run was fueled by a three-pointer from Olivia Kulyk and a layup from Allison Cannon, both assisted by Marissa Gingrich, signaling a complete reversal of momentum.

NJIT’s offensive efficiency, which had been stagnant, surged. The Highlanders scored 24 points in both the third and fourth quarters, shooting a combined 17 of 33 from the field after halftime. Defensively, they tightened up, holding Delaware State to 13 points in the pivotal third period and forcing seven of the Hornets’ 12 total turnovers in the second half.

Gingrich, a 5-foot-7 guard from Mifflin, Pennsylvania, was the catalyst for NJIT. She filled the stat sheet with 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals in 36 minutes, directing the offense and making key plays during the comeback. She was supported by a strong inside-outside combination. Kulyk, a 6-1 forward from Edinboro, Pennsylvania, recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while guard Alejandra Zuniga of Madrid, Spain, added 17 points and six rebounds. Cannon contributed 12 points off the bench.

For Delaware State, guard Amya Scott of Philadelphia provided a game-high 21 points and four assists. Forward Liliana Harrison, from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was a defensive presence with 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Guard Nevaeh Reaves of Aaron, Georgia, added 10 points and five rebounds.

The first half belonged to the Hornets, who led 17-14 after one quarter and extended their advantage to 35-27 by the break. They built their lead through interior scoring, outscoring NJIT 20-10 in the paint in the first half and capitalizing on eight Highlander turnovers. However, their offense grew cold after halftime, particularly from beyond the arc where they finished just 2 for 12 for the game.

NJIT’s overall shooting proved superior. The Highlanders finished at 43.8% from the field compared to Delaware State’s 42.6%. A significant advantage came at the free-throw line, where NJIT made 13 of 18 attempts while the Hornets converted just 8 of 15. The Highlanders also won the battle on the glass, securing 10 offensive rebounds that led to 12 second-chance points.

The victory keeps NJIT above .500 as it prepares to open America East Conference play on the road Thursday against Maryland-Baltimore County. Delaware State, which has lost five straight games, will look to regroup before its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener at home against Coppin State on Saturday.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, NJIT entered the game with a 94.1% probability of winning. After a tense first half, the Highlanders’ second-half execution turned that projection into reality, using a burst of scoring to pull away for a double-digit road win.