NEWARK, N.J. -- Despite redshirt senior Te'Shya Heslip pouring in a team-high 20 points, the Howard women's basketball team fell to NJIT, 70-55, on Friday night in Fleisher Athletic Center. 

With the loss, the Bison are 2-7 on the year, while the Highlanders improve to 5-7.  

Heslip posted her third game of the season with at least 20 points. She was 5-of-11 from the floor and an impressive 9-for-10 at the free throw line. She also tallied five rebounds, four steals and two blocks. 

Freshman Ayonna Williams finished with a career-high 11 points and was a perfect 3-for-3 from downtown. She paired it with a career-best four boards and two assists. 

Seniors Sydni Johnson and Jasmine Hill came up with eight points apiece. Johnson also pulled down a team-high six rebounds, bringing her career total to 503 boards.

After falling behind 14-7 five minutes into the game, the Bison manufactured a 7-2 run to end the first quarter down by two, 16-14.

The Highlanders began the second with an 8-0 burst and separated itself from Howard, outscoring the Bison, 24-7, in the quarter for a 40-21 lead at the half.

The third quarter was an uphill battle for the Bison as NJIT strung together 12 straight points in three minutes. The Highlanders took their largest lead of the game, 60-30, with 1:35 left in the quarter. Heslip sank a trio of free throws and connected from long range to bring the score to 61-38 heading into the final 10 minutes.

HU started to rally in the fourth as it went on a 13-2 run to cut the deficit to 63-51. NJIT responded with five unanswered points to go back up by 17 and thwart Howard's comeback.

The Bison had a tough time holding onto the ball, which resulted in 24 turnovers and 29 points for the home team.

Tatianna Torres and Alana Dudley added a game-high 23 points each for the Highlanders, while Leah Horton tallied 11 points and seven rebounds.

Howard has a quick turnaround as it readies for UIC on Monday at 5 p.m. in Burr Gymnasium.