TOMS RIVER, NJ - Behind a stifling defense, the NCC men's basketball team jumped out to a 29-9 lead and held on down the stretch for a 65-57 victory over Ocean County College in their Region XIX opener on Saturday afternoon.

Ike Robinson scored 23 points (five 3-pointers) and grabbed 7 rebounds and Al Blount added 12 points and 6 assists to pace the Spartans.

NCC took a 34-17 lead to the locker room at halftime, but the Vikings cut the lead to 59-55 with 2:30 remaining in the game, before two Robinson 3-pointers and a Josh Vargas layup stopped the Ocean comeback.

"I thought we played a pretty solid first half," remarked Head Coach Kevin Foley, "but we had a little lapse in the second-half that almost cost us.  We are improving, but we need to sustain our focus and intensity for a full 40 minutes."

Tyvon Efferson finished with 12 points (8 for 10 from the foul line) and hauled down 7 rebounds for the Spartans, who improve to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in Region XIX.

NCC travels to nationally-ranked Passaic County Community College on November 23rd.