Here are highlights from the action in the 2016 CIT Quarterfinal match-up between UT-Arlington and NJIT in Newark. After scoring the first points of the game, NJIT fell behind as the Mavericks of UT-Arlington scored 13 unanswered points for a 13-2 lead. Then, East Brunswick’s Rob Ukawuba got things going for the Highlanders with a three pointer from the right wing. NJIT then chipped away at the lead and only trailed 30-26 at the intermission.
The Highlanders then opened the second half by scoring 6 of the first 8 points to tie the game twice, and after a UT-Arlington score put the Mavericks up 34-32, Ukawuba struck again for a three from the right side to give NJIT its first lead of the game since 2-0 at 35-34. Former Union Catholic standout, Damon Lynn followed with a three of his own for a 38-34 edge. UT-Arlington would tie the game twice at 47-47 and 50-50 before taking its last lead of the game at 51-50.
However, NJIT quickly responded with a decisive 8-0 run that included threes by Ky Howard and Lynn for a 58-51 lead, and led 60-53 before, UT-Arlington rallied with 7 of the next 8 points to pull within one with under a minute to play. Howard then made both ends of the bonus and the Mavericks last second shot attempt to tie was off the mark as NJIT won, 63-60 to advance to the CIT Semifinals for the 2nd straight year.
Ukawuba finished with 10 points on two threes, a field goal, and 2 of 3 from the foul line. He also collected 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal. Howard led 4 different Highlanders in double figures with 14 points while Coleman added 12, and Lynn chipped in with 11. Drew Charles led UT-Arlington with 14.