BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The NCC men's basketball team opened the 2011-12 campaign on Thursday evening with an 8-point loss to NJCAA Division II member Raritan Valley Community College.

The Golden Lions jumped out to a 43-37 lead at halftime and extended that lead to 17 points with 11 minutes remaining before the Spartans cut the deficit to 5 with 3 minutes remaining in the contest, but that is as close as it would get.

Sophomore Nick Nickle led NCC with 23 points, including a 3 for 4 effort from behind the arc, while 2010-11 First Team All-Region selection Al Blount added 15 points and 6 assists.

"Too many mistakes on our part," lamented 3rd year Head Coach Kevin Foley, "our ball handling was not what it needs to be, but credit Raritan's defense ... they really attacked in their man to man.  Overall I saw some good things tonight, especially the fact that the guys fought their way back from that large deficit ... you never know with a new team which way that type of situation may go, but I I felt really good about how they battled back."

Ralph Padilla had 12 points and freshman Jaylonn Tullis finished with 10 points and 8 rebounds.

The Spartans, now 0-1,  travel to Syracuse, NY on Saturday to face Onondaga Community College in a non-conference matchup.