NEWARK, N.J. – First-place NJIT (13-12, 8-2 America East) used a 21-8 run to snap a second-half tie and the Highlanders held off visiting Binghamton men's basketball (5-20, 1-9 AE) 73-64 Saturday afternoon at the Wellness and Events Center.

The Bearcats were even at 32-32 one minute into the second half before the run, which spanned 6+ minutes. After trailing 53-40 with 12 minutes left, Binghamton went on a mini 7-1 run to pull within seven, 54-47, with 9:49 left. But NJIT countered with its own 7-1 run to restore a double-digit lead.

Sophomore forward Stephan Snagg sparked the Bearcats to one final run with four points in 38 seconds to bring Bing within six, 68-62, with 2:38 left. But NJIT made just enough free throws down the stretch to close it out.  

Binghamton scrapped to the end with just six healthy scholarship players.

"This is our situation," head coach Levell Sanders said. "I'm proud to coach these guys. They are fighting to the end of the game and doing everything we ask of them. We just have to keep scrapping and something will break for us."

Junior guard Jeremiah Quigley led with 15 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Senior guard Wes Peterson, Jr. added 14 points and seven boards. Snagg wound up with 10 points.

NJIT shot 54 percent in the second half and went to the line 33 times to aid its cause. The Bearcats had two players foul out and redshirt freshman walkon Nevin Ibroci had to play 12 minutes. Ibroci drilled a 3-pointer late in the game that kept the Bearcats within striking distance.

The first half was played within four points the whole way. Quigley tallied 11 points, including nine of Binghamton's first 15. The period featured four ties and seven lead changes and ended with NJIT on top 32-30.

Binghamton next hosts Vermont Thursday night at the Events Center.