VESTAL, NY - The NJIT men's tennis team defeated Bucknell 5-2 in a neutral-site match hosted by Binghamton on Saturday.

NJIT improved to 3-0 on the young season with the victory, while the Bison dropped to 1-1.

"Bucknell really pushed us to the edge today, but I was happy we were able to pull it out," explained third-year NJIT Head Coach Marco Matteucci.

Bucknell went ahead 1-0 as it took two of three doubles matches to earn the doubles point. Pablo Perez Ramos and Wil Jenkins improved to 3-0 as the Highlanders first doubles pairing, but NJIT was unable to get a win at either second or third doubles and fell behind 1-0 early.

The Highlanders battled back in singles play, however, and took five of six to take the match and remain unbeaten on the season. Jenkins won his second singles match in straight sets, while it took NJIT's other four singles winners three sets to clinch their victories. 

"It's really good to have these tight matches early in the season," added Matteucci. "It keeps us on our toes knowing we have to perform every time we are out there."

With the win, NJIT will now take on the host Bearcats on Sunday as Binghamton defeated Siena in a match earlier Saturday. 

"Tomorrow will have another challenge with Binghamton," concluded Matteucci. 

NJIT 5, Bucknell 2
Singles competition
1. Pablo Perez Ramos (NJIT) def. Amar Tahirovic (BUCK) 4-6, 6-4, 6-0
2. Wil Jenkins (NJIT) def. Adamantios Stavrakas (BUCK) 7-5, 6-1
3. Nejc Skorjanc (NJIT) def. Oscar Bain (BUCK) 6-1, 5-7, 6-4
4. Pavel Petrov (NJIT) def. Brendan McDonald (BUCK) 5-7, 6-4, retired
5. Oscar Callo von Platen (NJIT) def. Liam Kilmer (BUCK) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
6. Tim Zelikovsky (BUCK) def. Ashwin Kanetkar (NJIT) 6-4, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Pablo Perez Ramos/Wil Jenkins (NJIT) def. Amar Tahirovic/Brendan McDonald (BUCK) 6-3
2. Oscar Bain/Adamantios Stavrakas (BUCK) def. Oscar Callo von Platen/Pavel Petrov (NJIT) 6-4
3. Tim Zelikovsky/Liam Kilmer (BUCK) def. Tom Sorin/Nejc Skorjanc (NJIT) 6-4