York Men Edged By Rutgers

Freshman Omari Phipps led with 12 points and nine rebounds. Photo Verity Rollins

The York College men's basketball team dropped a hard-fought game to Rutgers-Newark, losing 63-59 in a non-conference match-up on Wednesday night, December 12.

The Cardinals, who trailed by as many as 13 points in the second half, once again rallied to get back in the game. With Rutgers-Newark leading, 47-36, York went on a 9-0 run that was capped off by a lay-up by Marcel Esonwune, which cut the lead to 47-45 with 11:01 to play. After the Scarlet Raiders extended their lead back to six points, 51-45, York went on another run and tied the game at 51-51 with 7:41 remaining.

Five minutes later, with Rutgers-Newark leading 59- 57, Chris Roberts set up Esonwune for a dunk to tie the game at 59-59 with 1:35 left. However, Rutgers-Newark drew a foul and made both free throws to go up 61-59. York could not convert on their next possession and the Scarlet Raiders hit two more free throws to seal the game.

Freshman Omari Phipps put together another strong game, scoring 12 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Michael Salamanca also netted 12 points and had five rebounds, while Roberts finished with 11 points and five rebounds. Esonwune dropped 10 points to go along with six rebounds and four steals.