NJIT edges Wagner for second win

NEWARK, N.J. – About a half hour after the Wagner-NJIT game the nets were up and the men’s volleyball team was stretching to begin practice. The score, 56-51, was still on the scoreboard. You can’t blame the scoreboard operator at Fleisher Center for keeping the final tally on display. It favored the home school and marked the second win of the young season for NJIT.
The game was closely contested throughout. Wagner entered 0-2 but had a strong inside presence in 6-7 Michael Orock, who finished with a game-high 22 points and 14 rebounds. The perimeter was another story. “That was a defensive priority for us,” NJIT coach Jim Engles said. “We were willing to give up something inside but didn’t want to give up the perimeter.” Wagner shot 3 of 22 (14 percent) from beyond the arc. For the game the Seahawks barely cracked 30 percent going 19 of 62 from the floor.
The Highlanders were supported by the play of Isaiah Wilkerson with a team-high 17 points and 13 boards and Chris Flores, who added a dozen points. In the stretch NJIT’s Jheryl Wilson, who finished with eight points, hit a big trey to give NJIT a seven-point lead, a lead they took into the final minute and wouldn’t relinquish.
“ Last year we had several games like this late in the year,” Engles said. “We just didn’t know how to win and finish it off. Now we have two wins. The mindset has changed. We can walk on the floor in a number of our games knowing we can give a good 40-minute effort and have a chance to win.”
Deane said his Wagner club, “was outhustled and they were just tougher than us.” He was pleased with Orock’s work in the paint but not upset with the outside shooting per se. “We didn’t shoot a good percentage but we had looks,” Dean said. “Chris (Martin) had look and so did some of our other players.” Martin, a 6-foot freshman, had 13 points but shot 2 of 10 from three.
“We are young and will get better offensively,” Deans said. “Even our seniors are young in terms of playing experience and knowing their roles.”
• NJIT committed 17 turnovers. That figure wasn’t a concern for Engles because the Highlanders forced 17 Wagner turnovers. NJIT entered the game averaging 12 turnovers per outing, a marked improvement over last year. “This year we have better ball handlers,” Engles said. “We have guys who can handle and dribble the ball. We are a lot better in taking care of the ball.”
• The upgrade in talent at NJIT is evident in Wilkerson. Last year the 6-4 sophomore had to play the point by default. There was no one else. This season Wilkerson is more comfortable at a more natural four spot. “If he was 6-10 he could be a lottery pick,” Engles said. “He works incredibly hard. He is a 6-4 version of the (DuJuan) Blair kid who played for Pitt.”
• Among those in attendance was former FDU coach Tom Green. He’s spending the season visiting different practices and watching games. One of his favorite coaches is Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni, whose practices he’s visited 6 times. Green also plans to get back in coaching. “Outside of teaching school a year,” Green said, “I have coached 37 years and want to get back.” Here’s hoping it is soon. And with a school that appreciates his fine work.