West Essex Knights (North Caldwell, NJ) backers were in high spirits Tuesday as they witnessed their basketball squad tip the visiting University Phoenix (Newark, NJ), 73-70 in a non-league bout.

With the win, West Essex upgrades its record to 7-8 on the season. The Knights travel to Orange (Orange, NJ) to play the Tornadoes in a non-league bout on Thursday, February 1. The Tornadoes go into the bout with a record of 10-8. Orange won 62-49 in their recent non-league bout against Belleville (Belleville, NJ)

Next up, the Phoenix play the Verona Hillbillies (Verona, NJ) in a non-league bout, on Thursday, February 1. University will attempt to upgrade on its 7-10 season record. The Hillbillies go into the bout with a 6-12 record after their 57-45 non-league loss to Montclair (Montclair, NJ).