NCAAB · Final

UMBC Defeats NJIT 87-74 in NCAAB Showdown

Thursday, January 22, 2026, 6:00 PM ET · Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena

UMBC Retrievers 87, NJIT Highlanders 74, 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 NJIT Highlanders vs UMBC Retrievers?

UMBC Retrievers beat NJIT Highlanders 87-74 at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena on January 22, 2026.

Who was favored in NJIT Highlanders vs UMBC Retrievers?

UMBC Retrievers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -298 (about 75% implied). The favorite won.

In an engaging NCAAB matchup, the UMBC Retrievers secured a decisive 87-74 victory over the NJIT Highlanders at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena. This win marks UMBC's continued dominance over NJIT, extending their head-to-head record to 2-0 in the 2025 season, having previously defeated them 95-91 and 87-64 in earlier encounters.

UMBC's performance was bolstered by a strong recent form, with a record of 5-5 in their last 10 games, including a current winning streak of one game. They averaged 75.1 points scored and allowed 73.0 points during this stretch. In their last five games, they have improved their scoring average to 77.8 points while limiting opponents to 66.8 points. At home, they hold a record of 2-2 in their last four games, while their overall home record stands at 11-7 for the season.

On the other side, NJIT entered the game with a record of 9-12, having gone 6-4 in their last 10 games and currently riding a two-game winning streak. They averaged 70.2 points scored and 70.4 points allowed during this period. In their last five games, NJIT has also shown improvement, scoring an average of 75.0 points while allowing 66.8 points. Their away record reflects a 2-2 performance in their last four games.

The odds for this matchup, as provided by DraftKings, favored UMBC with a spread of -6.5 and a moneyline of -298. NJIT was listed at +240 on the moneyline. The total for the game was set at 143.5, with over odds at -105.0 and under odds at -115.0.

In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details on player availability for either team, but it is always a crucial factor in determining team performance and game outcomes.

The conditions in the arena were conducive to a competitive game, and viewers were treated to a display of skill and determination from both teams. UMBC's scoring was highlighted by key plays in the second half, including free throws from DJ Armstrong Jr. and a layup from Sebastian Robinson, which helped secure their lead.

Overall, this matchup not only showcased the rivalry between UMBC and NJIT but also provided insights into each team's current form and capabilities as they continue through the season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	UMBC -6.5	143.5 o -105 / u -115	NJIT Highlanders +240 · UMBC Retrievers -298

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

Leaders

PointsAce Valentine19UMBC Retrievers
AssistsAce Valentine2UMBC Retrievers
ReboundsJosh Odunowo5UMBC Retrievers
PointsSebastian Robinson19NJIT Highlanders
AssistsSebastian Robinson2NJIT Highlanders
ReboundsAri Fulton8NJIT Highlanders

Recent form

UMBC Retrievers

Last 10: 5-5Streak W175.1 scored · 73 allowed per game2-2 at home

W78-60at Binghamton BearcatsJan 19
L74-79at Bryant BulldogsJan 15
W75-74vs New Hampshire WildcatsJan 10
W69-62vs Maine Black BearsJan 8
W93-59at Coppin State EaglesDec 29
L69-94at South Florida BullsDec 21
L60-63vs Army Black KnightsDec 12
L79-83vs Buffalo BullsDec 9
W73-66at Bucknell BisonDec 6
L81-90at Georgetown HoyasDec 4

NJIT Highlanders

Last 10: 6-4Streak W270.2 scored · 70.4 allowed per game2-2 away

W79-55vs Bryant BulldogsJan 19
W73-64at UMass Lowell River HawksJan 15
L70-74vs Maine Black BearsJan 10
W80-76vs New Hampshire WildcatsJan 9
W73-65at Binghamton BearcatsJan 3
L61-80at Pennsylvania QuakersDec 31
W95-60vs SUNY Canton RoosDec 29
L52-101at Butler BulldogsDec 22
L49-65vs Sacred Heart PioneersDec 13
W70-64vs New Haven ChargersDec 11

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	NJIT Highlanders	UMBC Retrievers
Field goals	28-64	29-56
Field goal %	44	52
Three-pointers	6-20	6-20
Three-point %	30	30
Free throws	12-23	23-30
Free throw %	52	77
Rebounds	40	34
Offensive rebounds	15	6
Defensive rebounds	25	28
Assists	7	9
Steals	2	3
Blocks	2	0
Turnovers	10	6
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	8	11
Fast-break points	2	17
Points in the paint	40	38
Fouls	22	18
Largest lead	0	22
Lead changes	0	0
Time in front	0	98

How the scoring went

2nd Half41-60David Bolden makes 26-foot three point jumper (Rocco Awad assists)
2nd Half43-60Ari Fulton makes 14-foot jumper
2nd Half45-60Ari Fulton makes 0-foot tip in dunk
2nd Half46-60Melvyn Ebonkoli makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half46-62Daylon Dickerson makes layup
2nd Half48-62John Kelly makes driving layup
2nd Half48-63Josh Odunowo makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half48-66DJ Armstrong Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper
2nd Half49-66Ari Fulton makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half50-66Ari Fulton makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half50-68Josh Odunowo makes layup (Jah'Likai King assists)
2nd Half50-69Daylon Dickerson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half50-70Daylon Dickerson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half53-70John Kelly makes 25-foot three point jumper (Sebastian Robinson assists)
2nd Half56-70David Bolden makes 25-foot three point jumper
2nd Half56-72Josh Odunowo makes layup
2nd Half58-72David Bolden makes layup
2nd Half58-74Ace Valentine makes layup
2nd Half60-74Sebastian Robinson makes layup
2nd Half60-76Caden Diggs makes 12-foot jumper
2nd Half62-76Sebastian Robinson makes 12-foot jumper
2nd Half64-76Sebastian Robinson makes layup
2nd Half64-77Josh Odunowo makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half64-78Josh Odunowo makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half66-78Sebastian Robinson makes 15-foot jumper
2nd Half66-79Jah'Likai King makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half67-79Melvyn Ebonkoli makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half68-79Melvyn Ebonkoli makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half68-80Jah'Likai King makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half68-81Jah'Likai King makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half69-81John Kelly makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half69-82Jah'Likai King makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half69-83Jah'Likai King makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-83David Bolden makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half70-84DJ Armstrong Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half70-85DJ Armstrong Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half72-85Sebastian Robinson makes layup
2nd Half72-86DJ Armstrong Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half72-87DJ Armstrong Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half74-87John Kelly makes 6-foot jumper