BRYAN EHNES
SPORTS EDITOR

Men’s Baseball got their season started this past weekend when they traveled to South Carolina for the Courtyard by Marriott Baseball Classic. The Highlanders lost their three games as they faced Butler, Dayton, and USC-Upstate.

NJIT played on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on their weekend trip. The first game against Butler was a 9-3 loss followed by a 16-1 loss against Dayton. The Highlanders finished up the tournament with a 3-2 loss against host USC-Upstate, in the closest game of the weekend for NJIT.

Tripp Davis pitched well for the Highlanders in the third and final game of the weekend when he started and went seven innings without allowing an earned run. He allowed one unearned run on four hits, one walk, and three strikeouts. Davis left the game with a one run lead, but the Highlanders could not hold on to get their first victory of the season.

Another good performance for NJIT came in the second game against Dayton, as Highlander shortstop Vincent Del Vecchio went three for four in the game. Catcher Bryan Bleakley hit the only homerun for NJIT on the road trip in the first game when he went two for three to start the season.

The Highlanders’ season is just underway with these three games as they will turn their attention to North Carolina looking for their first win of the year. Their next games will be this weekend, when they travel to North Carolina A&T for two games, before returning to New Jersey to battle Rutgers in Piscataway.

JAMIL WILKINS
STAFF WRITER

The Men’s and Women’s basketball teams concluded their two-fold double header series this past week at the Prudential Center and Fleisher Athletic Center. This was the Highlander’s first acquaintance with South Dakota, and their second face-off with North Dakota this season.

The women were up first as they trailed through at “The Rock”. Since 2006, the women began their Division 1 schedule, and this game constituted the most wins in their program’s history: 11-14. Junior guard Jessica Gerald scored the first point at the free throw, leading the Highlanders to a 23-21 lead in the first half. Gerald and senior guard Katie Piekielski contributed 21 points that brought the women out two points ahead with 55-53.

The grounds of the “The Rock” remained solid as the crowd’s cheers lifted the entering Men’s team. The men weren’t as successful in this round as the Coyotes took the lead and kept it throughout the game. Despite the diligent efforts by guards Jheryl Wilson, PJ Miller, and Chris Flores, the Highlanders were unable to catch up and finished the game 10 points behind South Dakota, 68-58.

Following the Prudential contests were the highlighting Senior Day games held on Saturday February 28th.  The final double-header of the season was postponed from the day before as a result of the ferocious weather; but the Highlanders still shined at home. Although the women fell short of a victory by ten points, the women made great achievements.

Gerald succeeded in reaching fifth on the NJIT scoring list with a career-point total of 1,088. With the help of forwards Ivana Seric and Taiwo Oyelola the Highlanders were able to move up; but it wasn’t enough to enable a victory with 49 to the Sioux’s 59 points.

The same wasn’t told on the men’s side as they pressed forward in the first half of the game with a 42-25 lead. The crowd awed as Wilson shot an astonishing 3-pointer in the last ten seconds. Supporting fans were joined together in a unified thrill and outrage as the game grew more intense. “I can’t take this, said Joi Mackey as North Dakota’s guard Patrick Mitchell was finally benched do to three personal fouls.

With 7:51 remaining on the clock the Highlanders were ahead 75-53.  As the Highlanders pulled out tactics that were blind to the Sioux, the crowd bounced on the bleachers cheering, “Good bye. Go home.”

The Highlanders wrapped things up with a 91-73 victory. “I’m really happy with our effort. I think we executed really well – the best on both sides of the ball. It was a good win for us”, commented Head Coach Jim Engles.

Also recognized on this day were six graduating seniors: guard Katie Piekielski, forward Taiwo Oyelola, forward Kehinde Oyelola, forward Kathryn Wighton, center Dan Stonkus, and forward Gary Garris.

The men and women leave on Wednesday to face off against Utah Valley, Chicago State, and South Dakota at their home.

BRYAN EHNES
SPORTS EDITOR

The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver came to an end this past Sunday with the United States of America setting an all-time record in medals with thirty-seven during the Games. The United States beat the record of thirty-six medals set by Germany in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

Germany was second in overall medals in the Vancouver Games with thirty, followed by host Canada rounding out the top three with twenty-six. The only other country that posted over twenty medals was Norway, with twenty-three. The breakdown of the medals for the United States was nine gold, fifteen silver, and thirteen bronze medals.

Canada also set a record of its own in front of the home crowd with their fourteen gold medals in the Games. This beats the record of thirteen posted by the Soviet Union in 1976 and Norway in 2002.

Canada’s record breaking fourteenth gold medal came in the final event of the Vancouver Games, Men’s Ice Hockey. The United States faced off with Canada for the second time in these Olympics after defeating them by a score of 5-3 in the first contest; but this game was for so much more, the gold medal.

Canada went ahead by scoring two goals before the United States scored any, but the United States was able to put home a goal about midway through the second period to cut the deficit in half. The score stayed that way until less than thirty seconds remained in the third period, when New Jersey Devil star, Zach Parise put home the game-tying goal.

The Americans had all the momentum going into overtime as the home crowd of Canada was crushed after the late goal. The momentum swing did not matter in the end, as Sidney Crosby beat U.S. goalie, Ryan Miller, to win the gold medal and send the county of Canada into a celebration. Miller was named the tournament Most Valuable Player for his amazing play on route to the silver medal.

Three Americans were in the top twenty of total medals by having three each. The athletes that led the United States with three medals total were Bode Miller, Johnny Spillane, and Apolo Anton Ohno.

Ohno won a silver medal, along with two bronze medals in the unpredictable event of short track. Ohno was also disqualified from his 500 meter race where he won the gold medal in Torino.

Bode Miller, a downhill skier, won a medal of each color in a successful trip to Vancouver. Spillane won three silver medals in Nordic Combine events and was the first American to ever win a Nordic Combined medal. He won the individual events on the large and normal hill, as well as the team event.

The Olympics have been filled with highs and lows, not only for the United States, but all countries. Female Canadian figure skater, Joannie Rochette, experienced one of the lowest lows and highest highs in her life.

Just days before her performance, her mother suddenly passed away. Rochette decided to go on and perform as she believed this is what her mother would have wanted. She wound up fulfilling her Olympic dream when she won a bronze medal in one of the most talented fields in Women’s Figure Skating history.

Apolo Anton Ohno also experienced an incredible high when he won his eighth Olympic medal in his career. This medal made him the most decorated Winter Olympian in United States history, as no other American Winter Olympian has ever won more than seven medals. He has not yet decided if he will participate in the 2014 Olympics to be hosted by Russia.

The United States has made great strides in these Olympic Games as they have set the new mark for all countries to shoot for in the winter; thirty-seven medals. The Americans have also become far more competitive in many events that have proven difficult for them in the past.

Jamil Wilkins

Staff Writer

During the past week, the NJIT basket ball teams were exploding the nets at both the Prudential Center and the Zoom and Fleisher Athletic Center. The Men’s and Women’s teams were engaged in demanding double-headers against the Houston Baptist Huskies and the Texas-Pan American Broncs. This is one of two Fleisher-Prudential blowouts that will be held by NJIT as the season comes to its end.

With the women up at 5pm, NJIT quickly took charge of the game on February 18 at the “The Rock.” The first half seemed promised to the Highlanders as they were able to score 17 points to HBU’s 2 points seven minutes into the game. The highlanders continued to hustle against the Huskies while junior guard Jessica Gerald scored three points for the Highlanders.

After the ball successfully passed through the basketball net Gerald had reached her 1000th career point at the biggest game of the Women’s season. “They were both equally exciting, not one more than the other. We came into the game wanting to blow them out because the last game we should have blown them out,” Gerald commented when speaking about the experience.

NJIT had 43-18 in the first half. During the second half the women maintained control by gathering four more points in the first minute. In the end, they came out 72-46.

When the men stepped, freshman guard Chris Flores scored the first point for the Highlanders. Junior guard Jheryl Wilson didn’t hold back either as he managed to score despite unexpected stumbles from HBU. The Huskies were able to catch up, but still trailing behind with a 17-16.

The Highlanders played like there was a match lit under feet. “Flare. Flare coming,” shouted Coach Cottrell of HBU. They were hot enough to end the first half with 31-23. The lead was given away with another foul shot. As Wilkerson stole the ball from Houston the Highlanders were hustling with 57.7s left in the game. Houston took the win with 58-62.

Two days later the basketball header exploded with excitement at the Fleisher Center.  “They’re looking pretty good. I expect them to win,” NJIT student Lauren Dupuis said as the women scored 11-2 in the first four minutes of the game against the Texas Broncs. “Get the rebound,” screamed supporting fans.

With NJIT in the lead 15-13, Texas’ desperation failed against Gerald’s 3-pt. abilities and senior forward Taiwo Oyelola’s dominant captures. “Get the rebound,” cheered the crowd as Oyelola exercised her reach and grabbed the ball to assist to her team. The Broncs shuffled their feet as they tried to catch NJIT. The first half was in favor of the Highlanders with 32-26.

During the second half the women moved with more ferocity. “Give it to Jess,” shouted Head Coach Margaret McKeon. Gerald was the primary target for the Broncs as she absorbed most of the fouls dished out by Texas. Gerald had to step to the throw line more than four times as a result of technical fouls.

With one minute left in the game the Highlanders were fighting for their lead. With 32.9 seconds left in the game Texas-Pan American began triple teaming the Highlanders, but fell short 70-66.

The field was once again set for the men to take control. “I emerged from studio to watch the game,” architecture student Christina Tailor said. Wilkerson started off with a left hand dunk.  Jheryl then followed up with a 2-pt. shot, and Flores topped things off with another shot to match Texas’ 3-pointer.

Freshman guard Nick Lopez and Wilson ended up tumbling, fighting, and driving the ball as the Highlanders refused to let their lead escape their grasps. With 4:02 left in the game NJIT was ahead 24-15. SAAC’s track and field representative, Joseph Ju, also had much faith in the team. “They’re going to win, “he said.

“Let’s go tech.” The Men’s basketball team seemed to play with better focus that at the game against HBU. The crowd was assailing Texas as they struggled to stand up against the Highlanders. NJIT finished the game with a potent assist directed to freshman guard PJ Miller to finish with 66-59.

The Highlanders face their next Fleisher-Prudential double-header this week against North and South Dakota.

Bryan Ehnes

Sports Editor

The United States of America has had a great performance thus far in the Olympics in Vancouver as they lead all countries in the medal count. The U.S. has twenty-four medals so far in these games hosted by Canada. Seven of the twenty-four medals are gold, which also leads all participating countries. Second in line for total medals is the country of Germany with eighteen and rounding out the top three is Norway with twelve. The host country of Canada has won eight medals, which puts them in fifth place. Of these eight medals for Canada, four are gold.

Some of the top athletes for the United States include Bode Miller, Apolo Anton Ohno, Shani Davis, Lindsey Vonn, and Julia Mancuso. Bode Miller leads all Americans with three medals already in three events. Miller has a medal of each color as he still has two events left to compete in. Miller is the top skier, including downhill events, for the United States as a veteran of the team. Apolo Anton Ohno has two medals in his two events thus far in short track competition. His medals so far are silver and bronze as he still has one individual event remaining to go along with the relay event.

Ohno and fellow American J.R. Celski medaled in the 1500 meter short track event when three Koreans led on the final turn of the race. The Korean member in third place tried to pass his fellow countrymen on the final turn, but wound up taking himself and his teammate out of the race when he could not make a clean pass. The crash ended the race with the two Americans finishing in second and third place, as the Koreans at least held onto first place, but failed to get the sweep.

Shani Davis is a speed skater that has dominated the world circuit for some time and has continued his dominance in the Olympics. Davis got off to a rough start when his first event had delays on top of a poor first run. He decided to drop out of the event and save his strength for his other events. This strategy paid off as he won gold and then silver in his next two events.

Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso have led a strong surge of American skiers for the Vancouver Olympic Games. Vonn’s Olympic experience started off bad as an injury threatened her participation in the Games. She then did not finish in a combined event where she was in first place after the first run of the two run event. Vonn followed that up with her second medal in Canada, a bronze, to complete the first up and down week in Vancouver. Mancuso has been one of the American surprises as she has won two medals in her three events so far. Her two medals have been silvers as she looks to continue her impressive performance in the 2010 Olympic Games.

The gold medals are rounded out by Hannah Kearney in Women’s Moguls, Seth Wescott in Men’s Snowboard Cross, Shaun White in Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe, and Evan Lysacek in Men’s Figure Skating. Kearney and Lysacek were surprises as they won in events that had very talented competitors. Wescott and White went into the Vancouver Games as favorites in the events that they defended the gold medals that they had won in Torino four years earlier.

The United States Men’s Ice Hockey Team had great group play as they went undefeated in their group, including a victory over Canada by a score of 5-3 in an amazing game this past Sunday night. The arena had Stanley Cup and above type atmosphere as this matchup between bordering countries was one of the most anticipated of these Winter Olympic Games. The United States held off a late surge by Canada in order to keep the victory and capped it with an incredible empty net goal.

The United States Women’s Ice Hockey Team has done exactly what the men did as they have also gone undefeated in regulation in their three group matchups. The women dominated in their three games as they allowed one goal in three games while scoring thirty-one goals. The women and men’s teams will now take their high seedings and compete in the games for the medals.

The Olympics head down the final stretch with less than a week to go as the United States continues its pursuit of medals and leading all participating countries in the process.

Charles Bell
Staff Writer

The Prudential Center in downtown Newark was alive as seven thousand people shouted, clapped, and were highly entertained by the Harlem Globetrotters.

“It’s a good family event; everybody came out and really had a good time. They are really funny, talented and athletic”, commented Diandra Murphy of Montclair. Diandra also noticed that, “Newark is up and coming, it’s always been the little gem, now it’s starting to be polished again. Newark is a gem coming back again.”

The Globetrotters are not just a professional team; they are ambassadors of basketball throughout the world, and everywhere they go, they have the home court advantage. In fact, the last time the Globetrotters lost a game to the Washington Generals (their opponent this past Saturday) was over 40 years ago.

Sometimes it’s really hard to grasp what the Globetrotters are really trying to portray as a message using basketball when you are relatively young. After an amazing show of dunks, dribbling, ball movement and entertainment, Charles Murphy of Montclair, a ten year old fan said, “It teaches you a lot of stuff.”

The kids aren’t just being taught basketball, they’re being taught fundamental skills that are needed throughout life. El Gato Melendez, one of the Globetrotters, said “Stay in it (what your heart desires) and put all your enthusiasm in it.”

Kids are the main fans at the show. It’s mainly a family event. Melendez said “It was awesome to see the kids around and the families together.  It’s the greatest thing to do, the greatest magic.”

For Melendez it’s also an opportunity to inspire young kids to follow their dreams.  Being a Globetrotter is being “more than a professional, you’re an ambassador. You go around the world.”  Not only does Melendez represent the United States, “I’m the first Puerto Rican born and raised in P.R. and I’m representing my country. Not just Puerto Rico but the Latin people around the world.”If the fans loved being there, the team did as well.  “We hope Newark had a good time, we did!”  said Coach Clyde Sinclair. Coach Clyde has been with the organization for 22 years and knows what it takes to become a Globetrotter.

His advice to young kids who aspire to become whatever they want is simple, “First of all, stay in school. Do your homework and listen to your parents. If basketball happens to be your love, work hard at it. Really work at it, because you never know, you might be the next Globetrotter.”

Sometimes the things that seem so fun in life teach us the greatest lessons. Loving what you do and really working hard at it is rewarding for The Harlem Globetrotters as much as it is for anyone.

Wonho Rhee

Men’s Basketball was defeated by a score of 64-55 this past Saturday when they hosted Longwood. The battle between the Highlanders and the Longwood Lancers was fierce. When Men’s Basketball faced Longwood last Saturday, they showed what a true basketball game is all about. The history between NJIT and Longwood goes back to 2007, the year when NJIT first joined Division I. As both Division I independent teams, NJIT and Longwood met twice each season.

NJIT defeated Longwood twice in a row during their first two games. However, Longwood did not let them go and stole four victories from NJIT. The scores were very close most of the time. As for last season, scores were 63-51 and 77-70. Since NJIT entered the Great West Conference this season, NJIT will no longer meet Longwood twice as they have in the last three seasons. However, for their last non-conference match, NJIT met Longwood as an opponent and it was time to settle the score.

The game that started at 2:00 PM this past Saturday at the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center lasted for an hour and forty minutes. NJIT had the upper hand in the beginning. The scoring started with a two point shot made by Freshman Nick Lopez and assisted by Freshman PJ Miller at 19:20.

NJIT led the game with a score of 4-0 until Antwan Carter from Longwood made a two point shot. The Highlanders did not let this go and scored answered with another point, but the Lancers made consecutive shots and eventually surpassed the Highlanders by sixteen points at the end of the first half.

Eager to make a comeback, NJIT went into an offensive mode and fiercely shoot for scores. Led by Freshman Chris Flores and Junior Jheryl Wilson, the Highlanders were able to shorten the difference in score from sixteen to nine at the end of the second half. NJIT truly dominated the second half of the game.

Although Longwood grabbed the title of victor at the end with a score of 64-55, NJIT put up a good fight. The performance in the 2^nd half was impressive with no doubt. The Highlanders, with a record of 5-12 ended all non-conference games and will focus on their Great West Conference games from now on.

With a 2-2 record, NJIT has a good standing in the Great West Conference. The Highlanders have eight games remaining for this season and will face North Dakota at Grand Folks North Dakota on February 11^th.

The New Orleans Saints have been looked at as the hope for their city following Hurricane Katrina. The whole season has been documented throughout the playoffs. And this past Sunday, quarterback Drew Brees and the rest of the Saints capped of the first Super Bowl Championship in franchise history. The Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts by a score of 31-17. Drew Brees was named the MVP of the Super Bowl with his great performance and two touchdown passes.

The Colts started the game with a field goal on their opening drive and followed it up with a touchdown to take a 10-0 early lead. New Orleans answered with two field goals in the second quarter and trailed 10-6 going into halftime.

The Saints came out with an onside kick to start the second half, and it took a funny bounce off a Colt and was recovered by New Orleans. The Saints and Colts traded touchdowns with each other and the Saints added an additional field goal in the third quarter. The Colts led 17-16 as the game entered the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter saw the score remain the same until Brees threw a touchdown with just over five minutes remaining in the game. The Saints went for the two point conversion and were successful, after the play was originally called incomplete and challenged. The Colts got the ball back and looked to the MVP of the year, Peyton Manning, to lead them to the Super Bowl victory.

Unfortunately, on this night, Manning could not lead his team to the coveted Super Bowl title. After converting multiple first downs, Manning made the first mistake of the game for either team, and it cost the Colts dearly. Manning’s pass was intercepted by the Saints and returned for a touchdown with about three minutes left in the game. This mistake virtually ended the Colt’s hopes of another Super Bowl title.

The game was close right up until late in the fourth quarter when the interception was returned for a touchdown. The Saints and the Colts were two number one seeds in their respective conference as well as the last two teams to have an undefeated record during the regular season.

Other notable performances in the Super Bowl were Saints kicker, Garrett Hartley and Colts running back Joseph Addai. Hartley was three for three in field goal attempts and was the first kicker in Super Bowl history to kick three field goals over forty yards. Addai rushed for a touchdown and totaled seventy-seven yards on thirteen attempts.

Men’s Volleyball had two matches this past week as they traveled to Sacred Heart and then hosted Princeton, but could not overcome their opponents to get their first victory of the season. The first match of the two was a 3-1 loss to Sacred Heart followed by a 3-0 loss to Princeton at Estelle and Zoom Fleischer Athletic Center.

The Highlanders and Sacred Heart split the first two sets of the match with Scared Heart taking the first and NJIT taking the second set to tie the match up. The Highlanders were unable to keep the momentum going as Sacred Heart fought off NJIT in the next two sets to get the victory. Christian Puszies led the Highlanders with twenty-four kills and Adam Gustafson added a team high forty assists as well.

The Highlanders were swept when Princeton came to visit as NJIT lost the three sets by six, nine, and four points. NJIT had very good kill totals as four Highlanders got at least seven kills, with Charles Bell leading the way with ten. Gustafson once again led the Highlanders in assists, this time tallying twenty-nine.

The two losses drop the Highlanders’ record to 0-6 on the young season as they look for their first win of the year. NJIT will now go on the road for three straight matches as they face Springfield, Loyola-Chicago, and Lewis before returning home.

For the second time in as many Saturdays, both Men’s and Women’s Basketball defeated the same school in back to back games. Last Saturday NJIT defeated Chicago State followed by the defeat of Utah Valley this past Saturday.

Women’s Basketball started off the double header with their 79-69 win at the Estelle and Zoom Fleischer Athletic Center. Men’s Basketball followed up just as they had last Saturday with a dominating victory over Utah Valley by a score of 71-46.  Women’s Basketball scored the first points of the game less than a minute into the action and never looked back. The Highlanders had the lead for the entire game, and never trailed Utah Valley.

NJIT took a six point lead into halftime and came out in the second half by adding to their lead. Utah Valley fell behind by even more before attempting a comeback, but the Highlanders held them off and secured a ten point victory.

The Highlanders had a team-high twenty points from Taiwo Oyelola, who also posted a game-high of eight rebounds. Jessica Gerald tallied nineteen points of her own. NJIT had two other double-digit performances from Kehinde Oyelola and Melanie Griffin to round out their four players in double-digits.  Utah Valley had a strong performance from forward Julie Smith, who hit five three-pointers and posted an impressive thirty-seven points in the losing effort.

Just over 200 people saw the Highlanders improve their record to 8-11 on the season with an impressive 3-1 start to Great West Conference play. Women’s Basketball will look to add to their three game win streak in their last non-conference contest of the season as they travel to Savannah State. NJIT will then travel to North and South Dakota for two conference games before coming back for a four game home stand which includes two games at the Prudential Center.

The Men’s Basketball game saw no scoring in the first three or so minutes, but that all changed once it started. The Highlanders came out very strong and just like last Saturday took a commanding lead into halftime. NJIT scored over double the first half total from Utah Valley as the Highlanders led 40-18 after one.

Utah Valley came out stronger in the second half, but could not overcome the huge first half deficit as NJIT outscored their opponents 31-28 in the second half to give a final score of 71-46 in Men’s Basketball’s second consecutive win.

The Highlanders shot fifty percent from the field in the first half, compared to Utah Valley who only made three shots out of twenty-four attempts. The Highlanders hit ten of ten free throw attempts, shot just under fifty percent from three-point range, and had three players with over ten points in the game. Sammy Schickel led the way for NJIT with eighteen points to go along with the sixteen from Chris Flores and the twelve posted by Jheryl Wilson.

The win improves Men’s Basketball’s overall record on the season to 7-13. The Highlanders have won two straight Great West Conference games to bring their conference record to 2-2 on the season. NJIT continues to play very well at home as they have posted a 6-2 record when hosting the matchup.

The Highlanders will now turn their attention to Longwood at home in their final non-conference game of the season. Men’s Basketball will then go on the road to face North and South Dakota before returning home for four straight Great West Conference games, including two at the Prudential Center.