Mighty Oaks Roll Past Passaic, Stay Perfect at 21-0
Carneys Point, NJ. - The Salem Community College men's basketball team continued its historic season in emphatic fashion, cruising past Passaic County Community College 124-70 to remain undefeated and firmly entrenched as the No. 1 team in the nation.
From the opening tip, the Salem Mighty Oaks imposed their will on both ends of the floor, using relentless pace, balanced scoring, and defensive pressure to pull away early and never look back. The victory improves Salem to an impressive 21-0 on the season, further solidifying their status atop the national rankings.
Jarrell Little led the way for Salem with an efficient 23-point performance, shooting 9-of-14 from the field and knocking down five three-pointers while adding eight assists and eight rebounds. Saaid Lee orchestrated the offense masterfully, finishing with 12 points and a game-high 10 assists. Nasseem Wright filled the stat sheet with 17 points, seven rebounds, five steals, and two blocks, showcasing his all-around impact.
Zyaire Gibson added 15 points on four made three-pointers, while Stefan Phillips contributed nine rebounds to anchor the interior. Salem's depth was on full display as the reserves made key contributions throughout the game. Jaiayre Wright chipped in 12 points and six rebounds off the bench, Nayeem Johnson scored 13 points with eight rebounds, and Jahseir Sayles provided a spark with nine points in just 14 minutes.
In total, the Mighty Oaks saw double-digit scoring from multiple players and overwhelmed Passaic with their defensive intensity and ball movement, building a commanding lead that allowed Salem to rotate freely and maintain high energy for all 40 minutes.
Salem will look to keep its perfect season intact on Thursday, January 22, when the Mighty Oaks return home to host Atlantic Cape Community College at the DuPont Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for 6:00 PM as Salem continues its march through the season as the nation's top-ranked team.