Columbia Cougars (Maplewood, NJ) backers were pleased Thursday as they saw their basketball squad hold off the host North Star Academy (Newark, NJ), 56-50 in a league bout.

With the victory, Columbia upgrades its record to 8-3 on the campaign. The Cougars host East Side (Newark, NJ) to play the Red Raiders in a Super Essex - American bout on Saturday, January 7. The Red Raiders come into the bout with a record of 8-2. East Side won 73-62 in their recent league bout against West Side (Newark, NJ)

Next up, the play the Arts Jaguars (Newark, NJ) in a Super Essex - Freedom bout, on Saturday, January 7. North Star Academy will attempt to upgrade on its 3-5 season record.