TOMS RIVER, NJ - The NCC men's basketball team opened their 2009-10 Region XIX schedule with an 87-85 overtime victory at Ocean County College on Saturday.

Elliot Gumbs, who was one of six Spartans to score in double figures, scored 5 of his 11 points in overtime to lead the Spartans to the victory in their inaugural Region XIX contest.

Josh Vargas led Northampton with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists, while D. Ratliff tossed in a game high 32 points for Ocean County.

Northampton took a 40-33 lead to the locker room at halftime, but Ocean outscored NCC 39-33 in the second half to force overtime.  "Obviously it bothered me that we lost the lead," remarked Head Coach Kevin Foley, "but I still felt good about our chances ... we did some good things and I really like how the kids responded in an adverse situation on the road to earn the victory."

Joe Bamford scored 15 points, Richard Hollinger added 16 points and 7 rebounds, Michael Wilson had 11 points and 6 rebounds and Brian Smith chipped in with 11 points to lead the Spartans.

Northampton, now 3-3 overall and 1-0 in Region XIX, travel to Passaic County College on November 24th.