NJIT Highlanders defeat UMass-Lowell River Hawks 81-56

Melvyn Ebonkoli scores 20 points to lead NJIT to victory

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The NJIT Highlanders defeated the UMass-Lowell River Hawks 81-56 on Thursday. Melvyn Ebonkoli led the Highlanders with 20 points, helping them improve their record to 12-12. The River Hawks dropped to 9-15 with the loss.

Why it matters

This victory helps the NJIT Highlanders build momentum as they continue their season, while the UMass-Lowell River Hawks will need to regroup and find ways to turn their season around.

The details

Melvyn Ebonkoli had a standout performance, scoring 20 points to lead the NJIT Highlanders to an 81-56 win over the UMass-Lowell River Hawks on Thursday. The Highlanders improved their record to 12-12 with the victory, while the River Hawks dropped to 9-15.

  • The game took place on Thursday, February 6, 2026.

The players

Melvyn Ebonkoli

A player for the NJIT Highlanders who scored 20 points in the game.

NJIT Highlanders

The college basketball team that defeated the UMass-Lowell River Hawks 81-56.

UMass-Lowell River Hawks

The college basketball team that lost to the NJIT Highlanders 81-56.

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The takeaway

This game showcases the NJIT Highlanders' ability to bounce back and secure a decisive victory, while the UMass-Lowell River Hawks will need to regroup and find ways to improve their performance in the remaining games of the season.