Preview: Bryant Bulldogs at NJIT Highlanders

NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — A pivotal late-season women’s basketball matchup with conference tournament implications is set for Saturday when the Bryant Bulldogs visit the NJIT Highlanders at Fleisher Athletic Center.

Both teams enter the regular-season finale with nearly identical records and seeking momentum. Bryant is 18-10 overall, while NJIT sits at 17-11. The Highlanders won the first meeting this season, 78-65, in Smithfield on Jan. 17.

The Bulldogs aim to bounce back from a draining, 65-59 double-overtime home loss to Maryland-Baltimore County on Thursday. Guard Mimi Rubino was a bright spot in defeat, scoring 22 points in 44 minutes. Rubino has been a consistent offensive catalyst, averaging 9.1 points over her last eight games, including a 22-point performance in the most recent outing.

NJIT looks to recover from a lopsided 67-37 road loss at Vermont last Saturday. The Highlanders’ success often hinges on forward Ava Locklear, a versatile defensive presence who leads the team in blocks. Locklear recorded a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double in a win over Maine on Feb. 14 and averages 8.1 points and 7.4 rebounds over her last seven contests.

Bryant’s recent form has been uneven, going 4-4 over its last eight games, with three of those losses by single digits. NJIT is 5-3 over its same eight-game stretch, but was held under 40 points in its last outing.

Saturday’s contest will likely be decided by which team better controls the paint and handles late-game execution. Bryant will rely on Rubino’s perimeter scoring to offset NJIT’s interior defense, anchored by Locklear. A win for either team would provide a significant boost ahead of the upcoming conference tournament.

Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST on Feb. 28.