Mens Basketball splits first week after return

VINELAND - The RCSJ-Cumberland Dukes Mens Basketball returned from the holiday break and got right down to business.

In the opening game of 2026, the Dukes were the wire-to-wire leader against host RCSJ-Gloucester as Cumberland were in control from the tip. The Dukes were led by freshman forward, Jamaal Davis, who poured in 27 points with 15 rebounds.  Jameel Purnell was dynamic with a triple double (25 points, 16 rebounds, 10 steals) and had a series of highlight reel plays to the delight of the traveling Dukes fans.

Zion Ingram-Moore chipped in 9 points off the bench in his first action this season.  Darell Newton scored 8 and had a highlight jam of his own while Vance Brown scored 5 points.

In their first home game of 2026, Cumberland faced another tough opponent in the Bergen Bulldogs.  Despite early lead changes, the Dukes could not grab a strong hold on the game as Bergen took a lead they would not relinquish half way through the first half.  Cumberland would get close in the second half trailing 43-41 at one point, but the Bulldogs stretched the lead to 10 as the Dukes would only get as close as 6 points the rest of the way.

Three Dukes scored in double figures as Jameel Purnell (17 points, 11 rebounds) led the way for Cumberland while Darell Newton scored a career high 15 points and Vance Brown scored 16.  Jamaal Davis grabbed 14 rebounds and scored 7 points in the loss.