GROVEPORT, Ohio -- Groveport Madison was the host to senior night and a chance for the first OCC title in 22 years for the Cruisers in a primetime matchup against Newark. Led by junior wing JT Shumate's career-high 26 points, No. 2 Newark controlled No. 8 Groveport from the opening tip, knocking down 11 threes in a 66-47 on the road to secure an OCC-Capital title.

In a game where star senior BJ Duling was held to one of his lowest single game point totals on the season (10), Newark looked unfazed, as its supporting cast of shooters were on fire all night. Knocking down its first five attempts from behind-the-arc, Newark got out to a fast start, leading 21-12 at the end of the first.

Newark would prevent any type of Groveport surge in the middle quarters, going tit for tat with the Cruisers, leading 44-35 after three periods. Looking like conference champions in the first four minutes of the final frame, Newark executed an 11-0 run to begin the fourth quarter, all but putting Friday's game away.

Cruising to a 66-47 win on the Groveport home floor, Newark wrapped up an OCC-Capital championship in its first season in the division. Improving to 20-1 overall, the Wildcats are a perfect 9-0 in league play. 

Leading the way for Newark was Shumate, who scored 26 points on five threes and several tough inside drives. Shumate, who has been Newark's x-factor all season, stepped up when the Wildcats needed him most, filling in for Duling, who missed large stretches of the first half with foul trouble. Senior guard Hunter Dennison added 13 points, while Duling finished with 10 points and six rebounds. Senior guard Kobe Long-Weber knocked down three triples, finishing with nine points. 

For Groveport, junior guard Tyreese Cherry led the way with 13 points. Senior forward Lony Francis had a terrific game on all accounts, finishing with 12 points, eight rebounds and four blocks, while playing excellent man-to-man defense against Duling. Able to slow Duling down, something no other player in the area has done this season, Francis showed the sky high potential that the 6-foot-6 senior possesses. 

Senior guard Jared Moman added 12 points for Groveport, while junior point guard Corey Baker had a strong all-around evening, finishing with six points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals. 

With the win, Newark can finish off an undefeated season in the OCC-Capital next Friday at home vs. Canal Winchester. For Groveport, the Cruisers will look to add win No. 18 next Friday at Big Walnut.