NCAAB · Final

NJIT Edges Maine in Nail-Biting Finish

Saturday, March 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET · Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center

NJIT Highlanders 60, Maine Black Bears 58, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Maine Black Bears vs NJIT Highlanders?

NJIT Highlanders beat Maine Black Bears 60-58 at Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center on March 7, 2026.

Who was favored in Maine Black Bears vs NJIT Highlanders?

NJIT Highlanders were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -175 (about 64% implied). The favorite won.

In a tightly contested matchup, the NJIT Highlanders narrowly defeated the Maine Black Bears with a final score of 60-58 at the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center. This victory marks a significant moment for NJIT, who have struggled recently, losing their last four games prior to this win. The Highlanders' record now stands at 16-16, while Maine concludes its season with a disappointing 8-24.

Both teams entered this game with contrasting recent forms. NJIT had a record of 6-4 over their last ten games, but they were on a four-game losing streak leading up to this match. Their scoring average during this stretch was 68.4 points per game, while they allowed an average of 70.4 points. In their last five games, however, they managed to score only 59.6 points per game while allowing 73.8 points, indicating a decline in offensive production and defensive effectiveness.

On the other hand, Maine's recent performance saw them with a 4-6 record over their last ten games, but they were also on a two-game losing streak. The Black Bears averaged 67.3 points scored and allowed 70.0 points during this period. In their last five games, they averaged 62.4 points scored and 65.0 points allowed, showing a slight improvement defensively but still struggling to put up points consistently.

Home court advantage has been a mixed bag for NJIT. They have a home record of 2-3 in their last five games, while their away record was significantly better at 4-1 earlier in the season. Conversely, Maine's away record stands at 2-3, which reflects their struggles on the road.

The two teams had met earlier in the season on February 14, 2026, where NJIT secured a victory with a score of 67-58. Historically, NJIT has faced Maine four times in the last two seasons, with a record of 1-3 against them prior to this game. This matchup was crucial for NJIT to improve their standing against Maine, especially after suffering three losses to them in previous encounters.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but the recent form of both teams suggests that they were likely dealing with some player issues as they approached the end of the season. The absence of key players can often impact a team's performance, particularly in close games like this one.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had NJIT favored by 3.5 points, with a total set at 134.5. The odds reflected the uncertainty surrounding both teams' recent performances, with NJIT's moneyline at -175.0 and Maine's at 145.0, indicating a belief that NJIT would likely win but with some caution given their recent struggles.

The game conditions were typical for late-season college basketball, with both teams likely facing the pressure of performing well as they approached the end of their respective seasons. Fans watching this game were treated to a back-and-forth battle that showcased the resilience of both teams.

Key moments in the game included a series of free throws and crucial baskets in the final minutes. Logan Carey made two free throws to bring Maine within one point at 54-53, but NJIT's Ari Fulton responded with a 9-foot jumper to push the Highlanders ahead 60-58 in the closing moments. Maine's attempts to equalize were thwarted, leading to NJIT's hard-fought victory.

Overall, this matchup highlighted the competitive nature of college basketball, where every game can swing on a few key plays. NJIT's ability to secure a victory in such a close game may provide a much-needed boost as they look to regroup after a challenging stretch.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	NJIT -3.5	134.5 o -108 / u -112	Maine Black Bears +145 · NJIT Highlanders -175

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsSebastian Robinson21NJIT Highlanders
AssistsDavid Bolden4NJIT Highlanders
ReboundsAri Fulton8NJIT Highlanders
PointsAce Flagg14Maine Black Bears
AssistsMekhi Gray4Maine Black Bears
ReboundsAce Flagg8Maine Black Bears

Recent form

NJIT Highlanders

Last 10: 6-4Streak L468.4 scored · 70.4 allowed per game2-3 at home

L52-91vs UMBC RetrieversMar 3
L52-69at Bryant BulldogsFeb 28
L64-70vs Vermont CatamountsFeb 22
L63-81vs UAlbany Great DanesFeb 20
W67-58at Maine Black BearsFeb 14
W76-70at New Hampshire WildcatsFeb 12
W73-64vs Binghamton BearcatsFeb 7
W81-56vs UMass Lowell River HawksFeb 6
W79-77at Vermont CatamountsJan 31
W77-68at UAlbany Great DanesJan 29

Maine Black Bears

Last 10: 4-6Streak L267.3 scored · 70 allowed per game2-3 away

L56-67vs UMass Lowell River HawksMar 3
L67-74at Binghamton BearcatsFeb 28
W70-59at UAlbany Great DanesFeb 26
W61-58at New Hampshire WildcatsFeb 21
L58-67vs NJIT HighlandersFeb 14
L62-78vs UMBC RetrieversFeb 12
L67-73at Bryant BulldogsFeb 7
W76-70vs Vermont CatamountsFeb 5
L77-91at UMass Lowell River HawksJan 31
W79-63vs Binghamton BearcatsJan 24

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
UMBC	24-9	-	14-2
Vermont	22-12	2	12-4
NJIT	16-17	4	10-6
UMass Lowell	15-18	5	9-7
UAlbany	11-21	7	7-9
Maine	8-24	8	6-10
New Hampshire	9-21	9	5-11
Bryant	9-22	9	5-11
Binghamton	8-23	10	4-12

Box score

Stat	Maine Black Bears	NJIT Highlanders
Field goals	20-47	23-50
Field goal %	43	46
Three-pointers	5-14	5-19
Three-point %	36	26
Free throws	13-20	9-13
Free throw %	65	69
Rebounds	29	33
Offensive rebounds	6	7
Defensive rebounds	23	26
Assists	14	10
Steals	9	8
Blocks	3	3
Turnovers	14	16
Team turnovers	1	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	1	1
Points off turnovers	9	14
Fast-break points	7	13
Points in the paint	30	26
Fouls	15	21
Largest lead	4	5
Lead changes	5	5
Time in front	17	53

How the scoring went

1st Half21-23David Bolden makes free throw 2 of 2
1st Half23-23Ace Flagg makes layup (Ryan Mabrey assists)
1st Half24-23Ace Flagg makes free throw 1 of 2
1st Half25-23Ace Flagg makes free throw 2 of 2
1st Half25-25Sebastian Robinson makes 14-foot pullup jump shot
1st Half25-27Sebastian Robinson makes layup (David Bolden assists)
1st Half25-30David Bolden makes 27-foot three point jumper (Sebastian Robinson assists)
1st Half26-30Mekhi Gray makes free throw 1 of 2
1st Half28-30TJ Biel makes 0-foot tip in layup
1st Half29-30Caleb Crawford makes free throw 1 of 1
1st Half29-32Sebastian Robinson makes driving layup
2nd Half29-34Sebastian Robinson makes layup (Jordan Rogers assists)
2nd Half31-34Keelan Steele makes layup (Logan Carey assists)
2nd Half31-36Sebastian Robinson makes 4-foot dunk (Jordan Rogers assists)
2nd Half34-36Ryan Mabrey makes 26-foot three point jumper (Mekhi Gray assists)
2nd Half37-36Ace Flagg makes 23-foot three point jumper (Mekhi Gray assists)
2nd Half37-37John Kelly makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half39-37Amare Allen makes driving layup
2nd Half39-39Malachi Arrington makes 4-foot dunk (David Bolden assists)
2nd Half41-39Caleb Crawford makes driving layup
2nd Half43-39Ace Flagg makes 6-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half43-42Quentin Duncan makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ari Fulton assists)
2nd Half43-44Ari Fulton makes driving layup
2nd Half43-46Sebastian Robinson makes 7-foot jumper
2nd Half45-46Logan Carey makes driving layup
2nd Half45-47Sebastian Robinson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half47-47Keelan Steele makes layup (Mekhi Gray assists)
2nd Half47-49Sebastian Robinson makes 19-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half49-49Keelan Steele makes 3-foot dunk (Logan Carey assists)
2nd Half49-51Jordan Rogers makes 3-foot hook shot
2nd Half51-51Logan Carey makes layup
2nd Half51-54David Bolden makes 25-foot three point jumper (Sebastian Robinson assists)
2nd Half52-54Logan Carey makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half53-54Logan Carey makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half54-54Keelan Steele makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half54-56Ari Fulton makes 1-foot dunk (Jordan Rogers assists)
2nd Half56-56Keelan Steele makes layup (Mekhi Gray assists)
2nd Half56-58Ari Fulton makes 9-foot jumper
2nd Half58-58Ace Flagg makes layup (Logan Carey assists)
2nd Half58-60Ari Fulton makes 9-foot jumper