The Alternative Press

SUMMIT, NJ - The Summit Hilltoppers boys' basketball team used a 15-1 fourth quarter run to beat undefeated Jonathan Dayton, 46-38, on Tuesday at Summit High School.

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Five different Hilltoppers scored in the fourth quarter streak that saw Summit outscore the Bulldogs 18-6 in the game's final eight minutes.

"We shared the ball, everyones capable on this team," Summit's Ryan Sweeney said. "It was a total group effort the whole fourth quarter, the big run capped it off for the game. I'm just proud of all of them."

The Hilltoppers trailed by six points with just over seven minutes left in the game. Dayton's Joe Rogers sunk a fade-away jumper from the right corner to give the Bulldogs a 34-28 lead. However, they scored just one point in the next seven minutes.

On the other hand, Summit dominated the remaining time in the game. Starting with Rob Walsh's layup with 6:20 to play, the Hilltoppers rattled off 15 of the next 16 points to take over the game.

Right after Mac Weisner brought Summit within one point on a left-wing deep ball, Ba'Shawn Mickens connected with Sweeney for a fast-break layup to give the Hilltoppers a 35-34 lead.

White extended the lead with a left block layup. After Dayton's Jared Clayton made a free-throw, Mickens nailed a corner 3-pointer to put Summit up five and give him a game-high 15 points.

The Hilltoppers followed with six free throws to ice the game, including three from Sweeney to go-ahead by as many as 10 points.

"[Sweeney] got elbowed in the top of the head [early in the third, which is good because its obviously better than hitting your head on the court," Summit head coach David White said. "He was very clutch at the free throw line, he was very clutch handling the ball, made some great decisions with it. He did a nice job."

Dayton added two 3-pointers from Clayton in the final minute in the losing effort. Clayton and Isaiah Rogers put up 12 points to lead the Bulldogs.

The win was Summit's 12th of the season to go along with losses to Dayton and Hillside. More importantly, the Hilltoppers handed the Bulldogs their first loss of the season.

"Its pretty big," Sweeney said. "They gave us our first loss of the season. We've been looking at this one for a while. We're just glad we got the win."

The emotions of the win were felt by everyone at Summit High School on Tuesday night. The near sold-out crowd stormed the floor following the final buzzer.

Sweeney said the atmosphere was something he has not seen during his time at Summit.

"That's the biggest crowd I've seen in my whole career," Sweeney said. "They were into it as soon as i got to school today. They were talking about it all day. They were loud. They really effected the game. It was just amazing out there."

The Hilltoppers return to the floor on Thursday when they play at David Brearley. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.