By, Jake Karp

With the odds stacked against them, Newark Collegiate proved they are far more than just a typical No. 10 seed, knocking off the top ranked team in the NJIC, Rutherford, 64-54 in an absolute nailbiter.

The game was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team gaining a decisive edge. Newark Collegiate kept the pressure on from start to finish, showcasing their elite athleticism on both sides of the floor and their ability to hit clutch shots when it mattered most. The Panthers also showed their depth tonight and were led by Juniors Mejwad Dixon (19) and Jayden Salomon (17) and Senior Mohamed Swaray (12).

Each time Newark Collegiate started to pull away, Rutherford had the answer. Rebounds leading to long outlet passes was an effective play for the Bulldogs, a play often executed by 6’9” Senior Matthew Remmias and Junior Guard Max Gestalu, who combined for 31 points to lead the way for the Bulldogs. 

Rutherford’s height advantage and ability to respond to each run made by Newark Collegiate kept them in the game, with key contributions also coming from Chris Goia, Spencer Budinich, and 6’5” Freshman Quinn Weber.

But in the end, despite the animated student section doing all they could for their Rutherford squad, Newark Collegiate just wouldn’t take no for an answer. 

With just minutes remaining, the game was still up for grabs when Newark Collegiate’s guard Mohammed Swaray rose up and drilled a three-pointer, giving the Panthers a four-point lead with under two minutes to play. “I have to make plays for my team as a senior…I am not trying to end my season right now,” Swaray said after the game. 

Newark Collegiate has reached the Semifinals for three straight seasons, including a finals loss to Newark Arts last year. This season, however, they hope to finally bring home a championship. The Panthers, now 19-7 on the season and led by fourth-year head coach Jyron Brooks, will turn their focus to a matchup against 3-Seed Madison on Wednesday for a third-straight away matchup in the tournament.

Despite the disappointing end for the NJIC’s best, the Bulldogs put together their best regular season since 2011, finishing 23-5, before yesterday’s loss under head coach Jamie Parnofiello.