VINELAND, NJ - Ralph Padilla hit Tyvon Efferson with 30 seconds left in regulation and then hit one of two free throws in overtime to ice the game as NCC downed Cumberland County College, 80-75, on Saturday afternoon.

Padilla, who finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, was confident in his freshman center, "I knew Tyvon would be coming off that screen and could get separation from his defender, we've run that play a hundred times in practice."  Efferson's biggest basket as a Spartan tied the game at 68, sending the contest into overtime. 

In the extra stanza, after Padilla gave the Spartans a 76-75 lead, Josh Vargas got a steal and layup to push the margin to 3 and Elliot Gumbs closed the scoring with two free throws with 4 seconds remaining.

"I am not thrilled with how we played, but I am happy with how we competed and battled back," remarked Head Coach Kevin Foley, "these guys never make it easy on me, but I love the fight in them."

Poor shooting (27 of 64) hurt the Spartans, who returned to action after a 3 week layoff.

NCC, now 11-6 overall (8-3 Region XIX), hosts Region XIX leader Passaic County Community College on Tuesday night.  "I hope we can get a great crowd here on the 18th," remarked Vargas, "this is a huge game for us."

Vargas finished with 18 points, Efferson had 14 points and 9 boards and Ike Robinson had a double-double with 14 and 14.