MIDDLESEX MEN'S BASKETBALL TAKES ANOTHER STEP CLOSE TO PLAYOFFS WITH 80-57 WIN OVER RCSJ-CUMBERLAND

Vishal Patel scored a career-high 22 points and Savion Pressley added 21 as Middlesex College swept the season series from RCSJ-Cumberland with an 80-57 road win to move to 11-10 on the year.

Each win is pivotal for the Colts as they make a push to qualify for the Region XIX Tournament, which is less than a month away. Four more wins in their final eight games would secure a postseason berth for the Colts.

Against RCSJ-Cumberland, Middlesex played their usual brand of tough defense, holding the Dukes to just 27 first half points in building a nine-point halftime lead.

The Colts kept the pressure on in the second half and were able to pull away without really having their lead threatened on their way to a 23-point win.

Patel's 22-point effort was his sixth double-digit output since returning to the team after the Fall semester. The sophomore has been greatly improved from last season when he started just one game for the Colts.

Emanuel Davila (Sophomore/Edison, NJ) and David Silva (Sophomore/Keasbey, NJ) also scored double-digit points with 13 and 12, respectively.   

Patel led the Colts with nine rebounds, just missing out on his second double-double of the season. Pressley added five steals for Middlesex, his third game of the season with at least that many thefts. Davila paced Middlesex with eight assists.

Middlesex will be back in action on Tuesday night as part of their Pink Night Doubleheader against Sussex County College. Guests are invited to wear pink to support cancer awareness and arrive early for pregame ceremonies. The Women are set to tip off at 5:00PM with the Men's game to follow.