LINCROFT, NJ - For the first 14 minutes the game lived up to all of the hype of a national top ten showdown ... unfortunately for NCC the remaining 26 minutes became a one-sided showcase for Brookdale Community College as the 6th ranked Jersey Blues downed the 10th ranked Spartans, 73-38.

"We were outplayed in every phase of the game," commented Head Coach Art Wolfe, "give Brookdale credit, their defensive pressure really bothered us and forced us to make some bad decisions and take some poor shots."

NCC led 15-14 with just over 6 minutes remaining in the first half before Brookdale closed on a 16-2 run to take a 30-17 lead into the halftime break.  "Even though the game had been close up until that point, I was concerned with how we were playing," remarked Wolfe, "we just did not seem comfortable and then that run prior to halftime really hurt us."

The Spartans, who committed 24 turnovers, were led by freshman Tiara Aziz who scored 12 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and had 4 steals.

NCC falls to 8-3 overall and 7-1 in Region XIX.

Things do not get any easier for the Spartans as they return to action on Saturday hosting undefeated Ocean County College at 2pm before facing Montgomery County Community College on December 20th.

Brookdale improves to 9-2 overall and takes over first place in Region XIX with a 8-0 conference mark.