NEWARK, N.J. – Junior guard Jacob Falko scored a game-high 20 points and classmate Christian Hinckson filled the stat sheet to steer visiting Binghamton men's basketball (7-8, 4-2 America East) to a 68-57 win over NJIT (8-9, 3-4 AE) Saturday night at the Wellness and Events Center.
 
It was BU's third straight road win in conference play (3-0) and moved the team into third place in the America East standings. The win also allowed BU to match its conference win total from each of the last two seasons … with 12 games still left on the schedule. The 4-2 start is the program's best in 13 seasons since the opening run by BU's 2008-09 championship squad.
 
Falko scored 14 of his points after halftime and Hinckson contributed 15 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and two blocks in another complete performance. Falko produced his fourth 20+ point outing in the last six games. He finished by shooting 9-of-15 and added six boards, four assists and three steals. Falko leads the entire America East in scoring (19.0 ppg.). Hinckson, meanwhile, posted his second-straight double-double and third of the season. He also sits atop the conference stat line with his 9.2 rebounds per game in league play.
 
Down four at the break, BU scored the first six points of the second half, made 9-of-12 to start the period and kept a high efficiency down the stretch to lock in the win and a split of the season series with the Highlanders. Binghamton shot 56 percent in the second half.
 
With the score even at 44-44 with 14:19 left, BU went on a 14-7 run that featured points from five different players. Ahead 58-51 with 4:48 left, the Bearcats didn't allow NJIT closer than four the rest of the way.
 
"We challenged our guys in the second half to be tougher and play better defense," head coach Levell Sanders said. "In the second half we kept our composure and played better overall. Everyone who played contributed. We have to have balance and got it tonight. It was a great team win for us."
 
Sophomore guard John McGriff added 11 points and five assists and junior center Ogheneyole Akuwovo chipped in eight points and eight rebounds
 
The Bearcats missed their first five shots of the game but rallied in the first half behind Hinckson, who hit 4-of-4 from the field for 10 points in the opening period. After a 16-2 NJIT run gave them a nine-point cushion with 6:43 left, Hinckson keyed a 10-0 BU run with five points, two boards and a block, allowing the Bearcats to tighten the score at half, down 33-29.
 
Binghamton continues its busy stretch with a home game against Hartford Monday night at the Events Center. The two teams will play in Vestal and then again in West Hartford on Wednesday.