TOMS RIVER, NJ - In a battle of the top two teams in Region XIX, Ocean County College downed NCC, 61-55, ending the Lady Spartan's 10-game winning streak and in the process taking over sole possession of first place in the region with a 16-1 record.

"It was just a matter of time before the slow starts caught up with us," remarked Head Coach Art Wolfe, "we got down by 9 early and against a team as good as Ocean, that makes for a very big uphill climb.  We also got killed on the boards ... we just never got the big stop or the big rebound that could have changed the flow of the game."

NCC got within 5 points early the second half before an Ocean run pushed the lead back to 12.  The Spartans responded and cut the margin to 5 at 56-51 with 2:08 remaining, but the teams traded baskets and free throws down the stretch as the Vikings won their 9th straight game.

Tiara Aziz scored 19 points and had 6 steals to lead NCC, while Dee Brown added 14 points and Halie Cintron chipped in with 9 points and 9 rebounds.

The loss drops NCC to 18-4 overall and 17-2 in the Region.

Ocean (17-2 overall) is now in first place in the Region with a 16-1 mark.

Ocean and Northampton split during the regular season, but the Vikings own two victories over 3rd place Brookdale, while NCC went 1-1 against the Jersey Blues.  Northampton has 3 region games remaining, while Ocean has 5.

NCC returns to action on Tuesday when they host Atlantic Cape Community College at 6pm.