The Pope John XXIII basketball squad (Sparta, NJ), was outscored 45-26 in Saturday's non-league battle with the host University Phoenix (Newark, NJ)

With the victory, University advances its record to 6-4 on the year. The Phoenix host St. Rose (Belmar, NJ) to meet the Purple Roses in a non-league battle on Sunday, January 5. The Purple Roses enter the battle with a record of 4-2. St. Rose won 61-54 in their recent non-league battle against Red Bank Catholic (Red Bank, NJ)

The now own a 4-2 record. They put it on the line next when they travel to West Morris Mendham for a Northwest Jersey - National battle on Monday, January 6. Pope John XXIII will meet a Minutemen squad coming off a 52-40 non-league loss to Hunterdon Central (Flemington, NJ). The Minutemen record now stands at 5-5.