STONY BROOK, N.Y. — The Stony Brook women's basketball team had not faced NJIT since Nov. 8, 2013.

Now, with the Highlanders in their first season as an America East member, the sides will regularly square off.

And Stony Brook welcomed the newcomers to the conference with a victory on Saturday.

Despite multiple ties after intermission, the Seawolves never trailed en route to a 63-51 win against NJIT at Island Federal Arena.

Stony Brook (7-4, 5-2 AE) has won all three lifetime matchups.

The Seawolves led by as many as nine points early, but a three-pointer from Dani Evans with four seconds remaining in the second quarter pulled NJIT within 29-25 at intermission. A pair of free throws from Kimi Evans with 8:09 remaining in the third quarter then drew the Highlanders even at 31.

However, the Seawolves answered with a 5-0 run that included a tiebreaking jumper from Asiah Dingle. 

When NJIT pulled within 43-42 late in the third quarter, Jonae Cox answered with a three-pointer in the final seconds of the period to provide some breathing room.

And when the Highlanders evened the score at 46 early in the fourth quarter, Anastasia Warren answered with a tiebreaking jumper to restore the Seawolves' lead to spark an 11-0 run.

A three-point play from India Pagan with 3:58 remaining opened a double-digit advantage.

"I thought we had a great fourth-quarter run when the game was all tied up," coach Caroline McCombs said. "Our focus, ability to lock down on defense and execute offensively throughout that stretch were critical."

Dingle had a team-high 11 points, while McKenzie Bushee, Warren and Leighah-Amori Wool each contributed 10. Bushee also had a team-high six rebounds.

Stony Brook played without Hailey Zeise, who had started the season's first 10 games.

The teams complete their back-to-back games on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Island Federal Arena.