BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Union County College ralled to tie the game at 73 on a Abner Thelisma layup with 1.5 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime and then held on for a 84-81 victory over NCC in Region action on Thursday night.

Ralph Padilla (22 points, 9 rebounds) scored with 7 seconds remaining in regulation to give NCC a 73-71 lead, but Thelisma was able to slice and dice his way through the Spartan defense to score and send the game into the extra stanza.

The teams battled back and forth during the overtime period, before Union converted a 3-point play with 7.2 seconds remaining to give them an 84-81 lead.  NCC took the ball up court, but could not get off a final shot.

"We continue to battle," remarked an exhausted Kevin Foley, "but it is the little things over the course of a game that continue to kill us ... we are not far off, but we need to tighten a few things up.  This Region is so balanced, each game is a dogfight ... every possession is crucial."

Jaylonn Tullis added 21 points and 8 rebounds for NCC, which falls to 2-5 in Region XIX and 3-7 overall.

The Spartans return to action on December 10th when they travel to Bergen Community College.

Union improves to 3-3 in conference play and 3-3 overall.