Knutson scores 23 points to help Lehigh beat NJIT 86-79 for fourth win in a row

Lehigh holds off NJIT 86-79

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Gabe Knutson scored a season-high 23 points and Lehigh beat New Jersey Institute of Technology 86-79 on Saturday night for its fourth straight win.

CJ McCollum added 18 points and seven rebounds, and Zahir Carrington added 10 for the Mountain Hawks (8-6).

Poor shooting hurt NJIT in the second half as it made only 9 of 23 field goal attempts (39.1 percent). The Highlanders made 41.1 percent for the game (23 for 56).

With NJIT leading 40-36 1 minute into the second half, the Mountain Hawks went on a 15-0 run to lead 51-40 after a pair of Knutson free throws with 13:11 to play.

NJIT cut the lead to 72-69 with 2:32 to play, but the Mountain Hawks made 11 of 12 free throws the rest of the way to preserve the win.

Jheryl Wilson led NJIT (5-9) with 27 points. Isiah Wilkerson added 22 points, Chris Flores had 14 and Sammy Schickel had 11.