NJIT Dominates UMass Lowell in Convincing Win
Thursday, February 5, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center
NJIT Highlanders 81, UMass Lowell River Hawks 56, 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 UMass Lowell River Hawks vs NJIT Highlanders?
NJIT Highlanders beat UMass Lowell River Hawks 81-56 at Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center on February 5, 2026.
Who was favored in UMass Lowell River Hawks vs NJIT Highlanders?
NJIT Highlanders were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -115 (about 53% implied). The favorite won.
The NJIT Highlanders delivered a commanding performance against the UMass Lowell River Hawks, securing an 81-56 victory at the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center. This win not only highlights NJIT's strong home record but also extends their recent success against UMass Lowell, having won three of their last four meetings. The Highlanders improved their overall record to 13-12, while the River Hawks fell to 9-16.
In this matchup, NJIT showcased their offensive prowess, averaging 76.1 points per game over their last ten contests, compared to UMass Lowell's 71.1. The Highlanders entered the game on a two-game winning streak, having recently defeated Vermont and UAlbany, while the River Hawks managed to snap a losing streak with a win against Maine in their previous game. NJIT's recent form has been strong, with a record of 7-3 in their last ten games, while UMass Lowell has struggled, posting a 4-6 record in the same span.
At home, NJIT has been particularly effective, holding a 3-1 record in their last four home games. Their scoring average at home stands at 76.4 points, with an average of 70.2 points allowed. In contrast, UMass Lowell has struggled on the road, with a 2-4 record in their last six away games and an average of 68.0 points scored while allowing 74.4 points.
Historically, NJIT has had the upper hand in their recent meetings with UMass Lowell, winning two out of three matchups since the start of the 2025 season. Their most recent encounter prior to this game was on January 15, 2026, where NJIT triumphed 73-64. This consistent performance against the River Hawks has contributed to their confidence heading into this game.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any significant absences for either team, suggesting both squads were at full strength for this critical matchup. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had NJIT favored by 1.5 points, with a total set at 149.5. This indicated a competitive matchup, although NJIT’s dominant performance certainly exceeded expectations.
The game conditions were favorable, with no adverse weather or external factors reported, allowing both teams to focus solely on their performance on the court. As the game progressed, NJIT's offensive strategy became evident, with key plays from players like Quentin Duncan, who made several crucial three-pointers, contributing significantly to the Highlanders' scoring.
Overall, NJIT's ability to maintain control throughout the game, coupled with their effective scoring and solid defense, was the key to their victory over UMass Lowell. The Highlanders will look to build on this momentum as they continue their season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NJIT -1.5 | 149.5 o -110 / u -110 | UMass Lowell River Hawks -105 · NJIT Highlanders -115 |
Leaders
- PointsMelvyn Ebonkoli20NJIT Highlanders
- AssistsDavid Bolden7NJIT Highlanders
- ReboundsAri Fulton10NJIT Highlanders
- PointsShawn Simmons II15UMass Lowell River Hawks
- AssistsDarrel Yepdo2UMass Lowell River Hawks
- ReboundsVictor Okojie11UMass Lowell River Hawks
Recent form
NJIT Highlanders
Last 10: 7-3Streak W276.1 scored · 70.6 allowed per game3-1 at home
- W79-77at Vermont CatamountsJan 31
- W77-68at UAlbany Great DanesJan 29
- L74-87at UMBC RetrieversJan 22
- 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
UMass Lowell River Hawks
Last 10: 4-6Streak W171.1 scored · 75.2 allowed per game2-4 away
- W91-77vs Maine Black BearsJan 31
- L61-66at New Hampshire WildcatsJan 29
- L56-79at UMBC RetrieversJan 24
- L68-77vs Vermont CatamountsJan 22
- L64-73vs NJIT HighlandersJan 15
- W73-68at Binghamton BearcatsJan 10
- W77-63at Bryant BulldogsJan 8
- W83-71vs UAlbany Great DanesJan 3
- L62-90at Iowa HawkeyesDec 29
- L76-88at Boston University TerriersDec 21
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 | UMass Lowell River Hawks | NJIT Highlanders |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 18-59 | 33-68 |
| Field goal % | 31 | 49 |
| Three-pointers | 3-19 | 7-27 |
| Three-point % | 16 | 26 |
| Free throws | 17-28 | 8-13 |
| Free throw % | 61 | 62 |
| Rebounds | 44 | 41 |
| Offensive rebounds | 17 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 27 | 29 |
| Assists | 3 | 20 |
| Steals | 2 | 10 |
| Blocks | 2 | 6 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 5 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 4 | 20 |
| Fast-break points | 8 | 21 |
| Points in the paint | 26 | 50 |
| Fouls | 10 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 33 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 3 | 88 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half20-49Angel Montas Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half20-51Melvyn Ebonkoli makes layup (Ari Fulton assists)
- 2nd Half20-53Ari Fulton makes 5-foot alley oop dunk (David Bolden assists)
- 2nd Half21-53Shawn Simmons II makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half22-53Shawn Simmons II makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half22-55Sebastian Robinson makes driving layup (David Bolden assists)
- 2nd Half24-55Darrel Yepdo makes layup (Angel Montas Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half24-57Jordan Rogers makes driving layup
- 2nd Half26-57Xavier Spencer makes 15-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half29-57Xavier Spencer makes 25-foot three point jumper (Darrel Yepdo assists)
- 2nd Half30-57Darrel Yepdo makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half32-57Darrel Yepdo makes layup
- 2nd Half32-59John Kelly makes 2-foot dunk (Sebastian Robinson assists)
- 2nd Half33-59Shawn Simmons II makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half34-59Shawn Simmons II makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half35-59Shawn Simmons II makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half36-59Shawn Simmons II makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half37-59Shawn Simmons II makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half39-59Jared Frey makes layup
- 2nd Half39-61Melvyn Ebonkoli makes layup
- 2nd Half41-61Shawn Simmons II makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half41-63Melvyn Ebonkoli makes layup
- 2nd Half41-64David Bolden makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half41-65Ari Fulton makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half41-67Jordan Rogers makes driving layup (David Bolden assists)
- 2nd Half43-67Xavier Spencer makes driving layup
- 2nd Half44-67Xavier Spencer makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half44-70Ari Fulton makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jordan Rogers assists)
- 2nd Half44-71Ari Fulton makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half46-71Xavier Spencer makes 18-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half47-71Khalil Farmer makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half48-71Khalil Farmer makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-74Quentin Duncan makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jordan Rogers assists)
- 2nd Half51-74Xavier Spencer makes 29-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half51-76Quentin Duncan makes driving layup (Jordan Rogers assists)
- 2nd Half52-76Khalil Farmer makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-78Zack Scherler makes layup (Quentin Duncan assists)
- 2nd Half54-78Shawn Simmons II makes 13-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half54-81Quentin Duncan makes 26-foot three point jumper (Rocco Awad assists)
- 2nd Half56-81JJ Massaquoi makes layup
Win probability
Above the line favours NJIT Highlanders, below favours UMass Lowell River Hawks.
Venue
- Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events CenterNewark, NJ
- Attendance181
- OfficialsJawaan Williams, Tim Smith, Tyler Sandmann
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