Mighty Oaks men set scoring record against RCSJ-Cumberland, women closing gap on Harcum
TUESDAY’S GAMES
Salem CC men 119, RCSJ-Cumberland 53
Harcum 76, Salem CC women 45
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
VINELAND — The Salem CC men’s basketball team set a modern-era team scoring record for the second time this season Tuesday night when it routed RCSJ-Cumberland 119-53.
It was the third time this season the Mighty Oaks (13-4) have scored 100 in a game and the second time they’ve done it against the Dukes (0-17). The old single-game scoring record since the school revived the program was the 114 points this team put on the Dukes on Dec. 19.
“I think we guarded pretty well tonight,” Mighty Oaks coach Mike Green said. “We didn’t shoot it extremely well (from the 3 arc), but I think we guarded well.
“They had a hard time with the press,” coach Mike Green said. “Our guys were aggressive and alert, even the guys who came off the bench were super aggressive and alert. Our guys got out and has success in transition. They were very unselfish; we got a lot of layups. I just think we overpowered them.”
When the Mighty Oaks put 114 on the Dukes earlier this year they had four players with double-doubles. Tuesday night, they seven players score in double figures and three with double-doubles.
Jyheim Spencer had 15 points and 15 rebounds, Tajee (Herb) Jordan had 13 points and 11 boards, and Tyrese Fortune had 13 points and 10 boards. Akeem Taylor led the offense with 17 points. Xavier Brewington had 16, Tamir Powell 15 and A.J. Jones 10.
The 119 points would elevate the Mighty Oaks to 11th in JUCO Division III scoring average.
It was the Mighty Oaks’ fourth win in a row, moved them into third place in the Region XIX standings and one win from clinching a playoff spot. The last time they were nine games over .500 was the next to last game of the 2021-22 season (18-9) .
It comes as the Mighty Oaks step into perhaps their most demanding stretch of the season. From here to the end of the month they play at Atlantic Cape, Passaic, Williamson Trades and three of the top five teams in the region – at Union, Northampton and at CC of Philadelphia.
Women’s game
CARNEYS POINT – At least it wasn’t 60. Or 105.
The Salem CC women’s basketball team still hasn’t found a way to solve Harcum, but they’ve managed to narrow the gap. The first two times the Mighty Oaks played them after reviving the program they lost by 85 and 105. When they played earlier this year, the margin was 61.
Tuesday night, they were locked in a 13-point game in the middle of the third quarter before the Bears eventually pulled away 76-45.
“We’re definitely closing the gap,” Salem coach Brian Marsh said. “We’ve got to get to the point we’re not happy with good loses any more. We’ve got to get them to wins.”
The Mighty Oaks (6-8) appeared on the way to another one of those games when they struggled with their shot early and fell behind 20-5 in the first quarter. Maggie St. Clair’s basket right before halftime kept it under 20 at the break, and they had it within 13 (41-28) on St. Clair’s 3-pointer with 6:34 left in the third quarter.
Then Harcum post Amber Bullard took charge and the 18th-ranked Bears (12-4) pulled away for good. Bullard, a 6-4 sophomore Mount St. Mary’s commit who didn’t play in the first meeting between the teams, scored eight of the next 10 points in an eventual 14-0 run that put the game out of reach.
Bullard had 14 points in the second half and finished with 21 on 10-of-12 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds. Freshman guard Sofia Vitucci was big for the Bears in the first half with all 13 of her points.
St. Clair led the Mighty Oaks with 17 points, tying her season high. She was 7-of-17 from the field with three 3-pointers. Nyaijah Jackson had 11.
“This team had every reason, especially after our game on Saturday, to lay down and they didn’t; they kept playing hard,” Marsh said. “I’m really proud of the way they played tonight. They battled. Sometimes it’s just not good enough when you’re playing a really good team.
“I thought we battled to the very end and that’s something we can build upon.”
And that’s a positive sign heading into this upcoming stretch of four gettable games that would enhance their hopes of a playoff berth. They play Anne Arundel and Delaware Tech, two teams they beat early in the season; Essex, which beat them by 10; and Middlesex, a game they let slip away Saturday.
They have 10 games remaining and must win six to get the .500 record that would get them in.
“I told the girls after Saturday’s loss we dug a hole, but it’s not a grave,” Marsh said. “They’re going to keep fighting. These next four games are really going to be a good indication of where we’re going to land for the season.”
HARCUM 76, SALEM CC 45
HARCUM (12-4) — Jordyn Cooper-Best 3-8 2-2 9, Sofia Vitucci 4-11 2-2 13, Kimanhi Woods 0-2 0-0 0, Piper McGinely 2-7 2-3 7, Amber Bullard 10-12 1-2 21, Jaida Helm 4-10 4-5 12, Bryce Harvey-Carr 4-13 0-0 11, Shaylynn Waiters 0-1 1-2 1, Aubrey Wroten-Thomas 1-1 0-2 2. Totals 28-65 12-18 76.
SALEM (6-8) — Nyaijah Jackson 4-8 3-5 11, Caroline Zullo 1-6 0-0 2, Maggie St. Clair 7-17 0-1 17, Kathryn Laurence 1-9 0-0 3, Jakayla Jenkins 1-8 2-2 4, RayNescia King 0-5 0-0 0, Daniella Gustin 0-2 0-0 0, Akira Chambers 4-10 0-2 8, Alexa Hopkins 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-65 5-10 45.
| Harcum | 20 | 18 | 21 | 17- | 76 |
| Salem CC | 5 | 14 | 14 | 12- | 45 |
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