Box Score

NEWARK, N.J. - After seeing its 12-point lead cut to two with 8:38 remaining, NJIT went on a 10-2 run to pull away and defeat the Boston University men's basketball team, 90-76, on Thursday night at the Fleisher Athletic Center.

The Terriers (1-2) drained 14 3-pointersin game two of the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic and shot a solid 46.4 percent from the field, but the Highlanders (2-1) had a slightly higher percentage (47.8 FG%) while adding 17 free throws from the charity stripe.

Senior John Papale led BU for the second consecutive game with 21 points and five 3-pointers off eight attempts. Freshman Kyle Foreman continued his strong play with 17 points, seven assists and four rebounds, while sophomore Will Goff had a career-high 11 points behind three treys. Senior Nathan Dieudonne was limited to 18 minutes of playing time due to foul trouble but still managed nine points and a team-high six rebounds.

Playing in its home opener after going 15-2 last season en route to the semifinals of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, NJIT had all five starters finish in double figures with Ky Howard leading the way at 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Tim Coleman, Damon Lynn and Winfield Willis tallied 17 points apiece with Terrence Smith contributing 11 points. The Highlanders dominated in the paint in both points (38-10) and in rebounding (40-31) to win the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Sophomore Cheddi Mosely opened the game with a 3-pointer, and senior Justin Alston hit a free throw at 14:31 to extend the lead to 15-8 at 14:31. The game would see-saw back and forth the rest of the half with sophomore Nick Havener draining a jumper at 3:38 for the Terriers' final lead of the game, 27-26.

Dieudonne responded to Coleman's 3-pointer with one of his own to keep BU's deficit at one (32-31), but NJIT hit three baskets, including one at the buzzer, in the final minute to grab a 38-31 lead entering the locker room.

The Highlanders extended the lead to 52-40 at 16:07 of the second half on Smith's layup. BU drained 10 3-pointers in the second half  and used one by Papale along with two Foreman free throws to pull within two (60-58) at 8:38. NJIT though hit a layup and converted on a defensive rebound with another layup plus the free throw following the foul.

Mosely responded with a jumper to cut the deficit to five, but BU would never get any closer, as NJIT shot 15-of-16 in the second half from the charity stripe to hold off any potential rally.

The Terriers will have little time to relax, as they will next visit South Florida on Saturday (Nov. 21) with the ESPN3 broadcast set for 7 p.m.