NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — The NJIT Highlanders used a dominant second-quarter surge to overwhelm the Bryant Bulldogs and secure a 75-42 victory in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at Fleisher Athletic Center.

The game, witnessed by 434 fans, was a tale of two halves defined by a single, explosive period. After a sluggish start from both teams, NJIT erupted for 31 points in the second quarter, turning a narrow deficit into an insurmountable lead from which Bryant never recovered.

The first quarter belonged to the visiting Bulldogs, who capitalized on cold shooting and early turnovers by the Highlanders to build a 16-8 lead. Bryant’s Nia Scott scored the game’s first basket on a layup, and Mimi Rubino added a jump shot to help establish an early rhythm. NJIT managed only two field goals in the opening period, both layups from Alejandra Zuniga, and struggled to find any offensive cohesion.

The complexion of the contest changed entirely in the second quarter. NJIT’s offense ignited behind a balanced and efficient attack. Olivia Kulyk and Marissa Gingrich combined for three three-pointers during the frame, while Zuniga orchestrated the offense with precision. The Highlanders embarked on a 23-2 run over a critical stretch, flipping an 18-12 Bryant lead into a 35-20 advantage for the home team. Bryant, meanwhile, went ice cold, scoring only nine points in the quarter on 4-of-17 shooting from the floor and committing five turnovers that fueled NJIT’s transition game.

The most important part of the game was undoubtedly that second-quarter onslaught. NJIT’s 31-point period was more than Bryant would score in the entire second half. The Highlanders shot 61% from the field in the quarter, including 4-of-8 from three-point range, and assisted on six of their 12 made baskets. Defensively, they held Bryant to 23.5% shooting and forced those five turnovers, completely stifling the Bulldogs’ attack. This decisive 10-minute stretch rendered the remainder of the game a formality, as NJIT’s lead never dipped below 20 points after halftime.

NJIT continued to apply pressure in the third quarter, outscoring Bryant 23-8 to extend its lead to 62-33 entering the final period. The Highlanders’ defense remained relentless, blocking four shots in the quarter and limiting Bryant to just three field goals.

Olivia Kulyk led all scorers with 21 points for NJIT, adding four blocks in 28 minutes. Alejandra Zuniga filled the stat sheet with 16 points and eight assists, directing an offense that finished with an efficient offensive rating of 109.9. Marissa Gingrich contributed 14 points and Allison Cannon added eight points and three assists off the bench.

For Bryant, which shot a frigid 25.4% from the field and made only one of its 19 three-point attempts, Mimi Rubino was the lone player in double figures with 13 points. Nia Scott added 10 points. The Bulldogs’ offensive rating of 55.1 underscored their struggles to generate quality shots against NJIT’s active defense.

Both teams now hold identical 18-11 overall records. The victory gave NJIT a regular-season series sweep, having also defeated Bryant 78-65 on Jan. 17.

The Highlanders set the tone for their victory with superior shooting, finishing at 52.6% from the field compared to Bryant’s 25.4%. NJIT also won the battle in assists (8-5), steals (8-5), and blocks (7-1), showcasing a comprehensive defensive performance that fueled their transition game and sustained their momentum after the game-changing second quarter.