NJIT ties record skid with 56-32 loss to Manhattan

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -The New Jersey Institute of Technology lost its NCAA record-tying 34th straight game on Saturday, falling to Manhattan 56-32 in coach Jim Engles' debut.

Chris Smith had 16 points and six rebounds to lead Manhattan (1-0). Devon Austin added 12 points and Herve Banogle had 10 rebounds for the Jaspers.

Gary Garris scored 17 points for NJIT (0-1) and his younger brother, Justin, added 11. The Highlanders made only 23 percent of their shots and didn't get their first basket until Justin Garris hit a 3-pointer with 8:03 left in the first half.

NJIT's 34th straight defeat equaled the NCAA Division I record for consecutive losses set by Sacramento State between Dec. 22, 1997, and Jan. 27, 1999. NJIT last won a game on Feb. 19, 2007, and is 5-54 since moving to Division I two seasons ago.

School officials said the Highlanders won't go into the official Division I record book because they are in their final reclassifying year and will not be a full member of Division I until 2009-10.

Engles was hired in April to succeed Jim Casciano, who resigned after the Highlanders went 0-29 last season.