CRANFORD, NJ - Freshman Jahron Mathies scored a career high 32 points, including five 3-pointers, to lead the NCC men's basketball team to an 88-78 victory over Union County College on Thursday night.

Fighting for their playoff lives, the Spartans took a commanding 46-29 lead to the locker room at halftime and controlled the second half in earning an important conference road victory.

"It was one of the stranger nights I have been involved with," commented Head Coach Kevin Foley, "from the late start time to some questionable calls ... it would have been easy for the guys to lose focus, but I commend them on fighting through the adversity and coming out with the victory."

Ralph Padilla added 25 points as the Spartans improved to 8-12 overall and 7-10 in Region XIX.

Union falls to 9-13 overall and 8-11 in conference play.

NCC travels to Middlesex County College on Saturday to face the Colts at 2pm.