ZANESVILLE, Ohio -- In a classic east Central Ohio rivalry, Newark took down previously unbeaten Zanesville in a tough win on the road. Newark senior JT Shumate powered the Wildcat offensive attack, pouring in 31 points in a 65-56 victory.

Despite picking up two fouls in the first quarter, Shumate got off to Saturday's game with guns blazing. Scoring 12 of Newark's 14 points in the opening period, Shumate set the tone early, knocking down two threes in the quarter. Matching up with one of the fellow elite wing forwards in the senior class, Shumate and Zanesville senior Cameron Brooks-Harris, a Marshall signee, went head-to-head in one of the best matchups yet.

Trailing 15-14 after a quarter of play, Newark would open up the second quarter on a 7-0 run triggered by a three from Shumate and back-to-back mid range jumpers form junior forward Keshawn Heard. From that point forward, Newark never trailed again, as the Wildcats went into halftime with a 32-27 lead.

The third quarter was a proving ground for Newark senior point guard Antonio Watson. Forcing back-to-back turnovers to open the second half, Watson knocked down a corner three and then responded with a strong driving finish to put Newark up 37-27.

With Shumate picking up his third foul, Watson did a terrific job of controlling the tempo on both ends of the floor for Newark. While Zanesville hung around for the majority of the quarter, Shumate checked back into the game late in the third. Immediately knocking down a three from NBA range, Shumate put the Wildcats back up double digits.

Zanesville cut the deficit back to eight after a three from senior guard Aronde Myers before the end of the period.

Going into the fourth quarter with a 45-37 lead, Newark found itself in familiar territory. Going into the fourth quarter with a lead away from home, Newark had the challenge of closing out a tough game against a quality opponent. Refusing to do just that in its two losses to Beechcroft and Reynoldsburg, games that Newark led in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats did not let history repeat itself on Saturday.

Zanesville cut the deficit to 45-39 after a tough score from Myers, but Shumate would respond once again. Knocking in a corner three that banked in off the top corner of the backboard, Shumate's trey put Newark ahead 48-39.

On the following possession, Watson once again turned quality defense into easy offense, picking the pocket of a Zanesville ball handler and finishing at the rim to go up 50-39 with 5:24 to go.

Zanesville would creep back to within single digits after a three-point play from junior guard Kaleb Young. Watson once again responded, as a strong driving layup from the senior guard put Newark ahead 52-42 with 4:09 to play.

Another three from Myers cut the Newark lead to 56-50 with 2:03 to go, however Newark's execution put the game away after that point. A strong three-point play from Shumate extended the lead to nine points at 59-50 with 1:37 to go.

Eclipsing 30 points for the second time this season, Shumate continued what has been a dominant senior season. Averaging 27.3 points per game, Shumate has scored at least 21 points in every game thus far. The Walsh signee knocked in six threes on Saturday, proving to be a tough matchup for anyone that Zanesville put on him.

Watson added 12 points, 10 of which in the second half alone. Coming up big when Shumate was out due to foul trouble, Watson's ability to contribute on both ends was key for the Wildcats. The senior guard added four assists and four steals.

Heard added 10 points and four rebounds, playing tough around the basket and showing nice touch from 15 feet and in. The 6-foot-7 junior has come along slowly thus far in his career, but a performance like Saturday's could do big things for Heard going forward.

For Zanesville, Myers led the way with 18 points and six rebounds. The 6-foot-3 senior, who was a champion in the 270 Hoops Fall League, showed an ability to hit tough shots and convert from all over the floor.

Brooks-Harris added 17 points, five rebounds, three assists and four blocks for the Blue Devils. Scoring 15 points in the first half, including a powerful slam on a Newark defender, Brooks-Harris would be limited to zero field goals in the second half. Despite his offensive struggles in the last 16 minutes, Brooks-Harris played an excellent game defensively, blocking two Shumate jump shots and showing an elite ability to defend on the wing. 

Junior Cobe Curry and senior Phillip Williams each added seven points for Zanesville, who loses its first game of the season.

With the win, Newark improves to 4-2 and is off until next Friday in a home game against Harvey.