NEWARK, N.J. – On an evening with the mercury flirting with the sixties and students taking to outdoor games as soccer and lacrosse, the Highlanders of NJIT entertained non-conference opposition Colgate on Wednesday. The Red Raiders, of the Patriot League, are struggling with a 6-15 overall mark and 1-6 slate in conference play. NJIT entered 9-11 with a 2-2 record in Great west play. The pre-game efficiencies saw both teams similar in pace. Colgate averaged 68 possessions, NJIT 69- a moderate to brisk tempo.
Efficiency-wise, Jim Engles’ NJIT club is performing at a much better rate. They are at the break even mark of efficiency (offense minus defense) with a 98.3 on offense and 97.5 defensively. Colgate, to little surprise, fills the bill of a team in the midst of a long campaign. Their efficiency margin is a -16 with 94 on offense, 110 on defense. Both marks are sub-par, to put it politely.
First Half. Colgate won the opening tap and drilled a three, ten seconds into the game. Both teams opt to run if the break is available. Getting out in transition, NJIT often looks for the three as any defenders in retreat are guarding the paint and leaving the perimeter open. Colgate has inside size and makes a concerted effort to establish 6-10 senior Nick Pascale as a primary option in the paint. Their inside play is a defensive priority for NJIT. On their side, NJIT is getting opportunities down low. Not from a post-up game, but penetrations and back door cuts. Junior guard P.J. Miller of NJIT is quick and a difficult matchup.
Half: 36-34 Colgate
Possessions: 33
Offensive Efficiency: Colgate 109, NJIT 103
Second Half: NJIT scores the first five points of the second half. The Red Raiders do not fold, but put together an 8-0 run of their own. With defensive attention by NJIT focused in the paint, Colgate finds Mike Venezia on the perimeter. The first five minutes sees the senior guard score seven points (two treys including a four point play). Colgate hit only two three-pointers the first half. By the six minute (to go) mark in the second half, they have five, matching NJIT’s field goal total at the same juncture. That perimeter game has done the job keeping NJIT at bay.
In a half of momentum swings, the Highlanders could never draw even as the visitors would quickly expand on a two-possession lead by connecting from downtown. Full court pressure and getting Colgate into a fast pace allows NJIT to cut a double-digit deficit to four with just under five minutes remaining. Sometimes the Xs and Os or (not to be blasphemous of tempo-free) statistics don’t figure as much. NJIT is hanging in mainly by showing great energy in the stretch. Ninety seconds are left and Colgate is ahead 74-71. Then Yaw Gyawu hits one of two free throws with six seconds left. NJIT rebounds the miss, pushes the ball and the crowd lets out a collective sigh of despair as Isaiah Wilkerson’s three-point attempt rims at the buzzer.
Final: Colgate 76, NJIT 73
Possessions: 68
Offensive Efficiency: Colgate 112, NJIT 107
Both every efficient on offense and, at the same time, addressing the prospect of shoring up the defense.
Scoring Leaders: Chris Flores (NJIT) 17, Mike Venezia (Colgate) 15
Key stat: Colgate owned a 36-22 rebounding edge and a 42-24% edge in offensive rebounding percentage.
“I am happy with the effort, we were focused but they (Colgate) are a good shooting team that makes you pay if you make a mistake. Again, I really liked our effort,” said NJIT coach Jim Engles
