LINCROFT, NJ - Injury-plagued Northampton Community College, ranked 5th in the country in the latest NJCAA poll, put forth a valiant effort but it wasn't enough to overcome defending Region XIX champion Brookdale Community College on Tuesday night, as the Spartans fell 86-72.

"Brookdale is definitely not the team you want to go in against short-handed," remarked Head Coach Kevin Foley, "Coach Cisek does a tremendous job."

Northampton, which played without starting power forward Zack Hankerson, was led by Dante Davis' 21 points.  Andrew Miller added 17 and 10 boards and leading scorer Jaylonn Tullis chipped in with 14.

The Jersey Blues jumped out to a 17-7 lead before the Spartans fought back to 35-31 at halftime.  Brookdale opened the second half on a 12-2 run and NCC found itself in catch-up mode throughout the second stanza.

NCC falls to 3-1 overall and remains 1-0 in Region XIX / EPAC.

Brookdale is now 3-0 overall and 1-0 in Region XIX / GSAC.

The Spartans will return to action on Tuesday November 27th at the Arthur L. Scott Spartan Center when they host Montgomery County Community College at 7pm.  Fans are reminded that it is "Beach Night" on the 27th with prizes for the best costumes.