Game 4: Gophers host NJIT 11-14-25

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Ignatius L Hoops

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TAKE ME TO THE RIVER ROAD

From Newark’s Highlands come the Highlanders of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). The team will be weekending on the Mississippi river bluffs with games against the Gophers on Friday evening and St. Thomas on Sunday. It’s a trip home for Highlanders Audrey Kormann a 6’2” junior forward from Maple Grove and Piper Engleby a 5’11” sophomore guard from Andover.

NJIT has traveled to Minneapolis twice before with the expected outcomes: a 71-47 loss in 2011 and an 83-50 loss in 2015. The current edition of the Highlanders is coached by Mike Lane and is projected to finish 5th in America East which is where they finished last sseaon when they were 11-19 (8-8 conf).

Mike Lane, a Notre Dame alum, is in his eighth season in Newark after a 5 year assistant coach stint at Bucknell and a five year head coaching run at DIII Dominican in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.

Following a 2023-24 season in which NJIT finished 12-18 and 4-12 (7th in the 9 team America East). Lane decided to revamp the offense and finished last season 11-19 and 8-8 (5th) in conference. The Highlanders were the third ranked offense in conference play averaging 60.2 points per game (increased offense is a relative concept). For the record, NJIT was also the worst defensive team in the conference for the second straight season giving up 62.1 points per game.

The offense, such as it is, revolves around All America East Player Alejandra Zuniga a 5’6” senior guard from Madrid, Spain

During America East media day, Lane spoke about Zuniga’s development. He said while Zuniga can slalom through defenders, the coaching staff has worked with her on learning to play off two feet utilizing the jump stop, step through and slide step. He said most of her problems in passing and shooting occurred while playing off one foot. Last season the two footed Zuniga averaged 16 points and 3.4 assists in 30 minutes.

The Highlanders arrived in Minneapolis 3-0 after defeating @Sacred Heart 64-57, @Fordham 81-78 and Wagner 78-58. Zuniga led the scoring in the first game with 24 points. For the season she is averaging 12.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 25.7 minutes. Unfortunately, Zuniga left the Wagner game with an injury in the second quarter and did not return.

6’1 sophomore guard and reigning America East Rookie of the Year, Olivia Kulyk, led the scoring versus Fordham with 25 points. Kulyk is averaging 17 7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 35.7 minutes. She is 13-24 from three.

5’7” junior guard Marissa Gingrich led the scoring against Wagner with 23. She is averaging 17.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in 33 minutes.

Obviously, NJIT needs Zuniga against Minnesota as well as against St. Thomas when the Highlanders visit Summit Avenue.
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Who put the non-conference schedule together for the women's and men's program? These opponents are just awful and of no value in improving the team. Gophers would be better served playing a few MIAC teams.
 

FinnGopher said:
Who put the non-conference schedule together for the women's and men's program? These opponents are just awful and of no value in improving the team. Gophers would be better served playing a few MIAC teams.
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Well the men just played at Missouri. Nothing wrong with that. But here we are up 30 at halftime. Lol
 

If Holloway ever learns to slow down and be patient she could do some good things.

Glenn’s game is fun to watch.

Tonga’s minutes will need to improve when we get to the tougher schedule. We will need more out of her.
 








DietCokeFan said:
Wish this coaching staff could run some more action plays for Christian. Her shot is so smooth.
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totally agree! was thinking when she played all the 2nd half that we could see her get a 20 piece.. but hardly ran anything for her or got her the ball much.
 


DietCokeFan said:
If Holloway ever learns to slow down and be patient she could do some good things.

Glenn’s game is fun to watch.

Tonga’s minutes will need to improve when we get to the tougher schedule. We will need more out of her.
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Both Tonga and Holloway will need to improve. I thought their play was not very athletic and slow
 




FinnGopher said:
Who put the non-conference schedule together for the women's and men's program? These opponents are just awful and of no value in improving the team. Gophers would be better served playing a few MIAC teams.
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Marquette was picked to be #2 in the Big East behind only UConn.
 

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