The final outcome fit the script to the tee -- yes, we saw this twice before and a third meeting between No. 4 seed RCSJ and No. 5 Union provided no new surprises.

The Runners emerged victorious, 78-67, in the NJCAA North Atlantic District quarterfinal round, but the final outcome could have swung either way in the closing minutes of play.

"This is exactly what we expected," said Runners' Coach Rich Casey, whose team grabbed their third close win over Union in the 2022-23 campaign. "It was a dogfight all the way."

Led by four players in double figures -- Quantavious Rogers (20 points), Darnell Demby (17) Jerry Surrency (16) and Eriq Campbell (15), the Runners hung on for a hard-fought 78-67 triumph.

The outcome was in serious doubt as the Owls whittled the lead down to three points twice in the final 3:12 of play before the Runners sealed it. Demby proved clutch down the stretch with 9 second half points.

"We knew they would keep coming at us," he commented. "It wouldn't be over until the clock ran out."

The two teams battled back and forth at the outset before the Runners built a 12-point lead at 36-24 before going into halftime with a 36-27 advantage.

The Owls, however, would not go away, chipping away at the lead and nearly catching up in the end. Late in the second half they pulled to within 59-56 before the Runners used a 19-12 surge to close out the win.

The win enabled the Runners to advance to the North Atlantic District semifinal round this Thursday vs. No. 1 seed Northampton, time to be determined.