HAMILTON – Hot-shooting NJIT broke from the gate early and Colgate never threatened in a 71-53 decision here Friday night.
 
The first three Highlander baskets were 3-pointers, and that set the tone for the night. NJIT smoked the nets to the tune of 6-of-9 from downtown in the opening quarter en route to a 30-11 advantage on the scoreboard.
 
Colgate never drew closer than 15 points the rest of the way.
 
NJIT was 7-of-11 from 3-point distance in the first half to Colgate's 0-of-9. The Raiders were just 8-of-33 overall for 24.2 percent in the first half. The Highlanders led 41-21 at intermission. That lead was 57-38 through three quarters.
 
Summer King and Haley Greer scored 11 points apiece to lead the Raiders. Kelly Guarino poured in a career-high 28 points to pace the visitors. Danielle Tunstall added 11 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Bottom Line
• NJIT 71, Colgate 53
 
Won-Lost Records
• Colgate is now 4-5
• NJIT won its second straight game and improved to 3-8.
 
Stats of the Game
• King's 11 points extended to six games her streak of scoring in double-figures. It's the longest streak of her career.
• Greer with 11 missed her career high by two points.
• Chelsey Koren came off the bench and contributed a game-high five assists. She has 11 in her last two home games.
• NJIT's Guarino matched her career high with seven 3-pointers, finishing 7-of-12.
• NJIT's 30 points in the first quarter were the most against Colgate since Army put up 32 in the opening quarter of the 2016 Patriot League Tournament quarterfinals.

From the Source
• Head Coach Bill Cleary (On the game) "Obviously, it's a disappointing result. I'm just got to do a better job; this one is on me. Our kids have come a long way and they've done everything we've asked them to do. We are going to be better, that I can promise."

Gate Grab Bag
• Attendance at Cotterell Court was 196.
 
Up Next
• Colgate returns to action Dec. 31 at Niagara.
• The Purple Eagles are 2-6 heading into Saturday's home game against Coppin State. Niagara plays Dec. 17 at Syracuse and Dec. 29 at West Virginia before hosting the Raiders.
• Start time is noon from the Gallagher Center, with the Niagara Sports Network carrying the free livestream.