BETHLEHEM, Pa. - It's the NJCAA's Lehigh Valley version of North Carolina vs. Duke.  Two rivals located in close proximity battling for conference supremacy.  Northampton and Lehigh Carbon may not have the notoriety of the ACC battle, but it does not lack in passion and intensity.

The Cougars will make the short jaunt to Bethlehem Township tonight for a women's and men's doubleheader set to tip at 6:00pm.  The Lehigh Carbon women enter the matchup at 3-2 overall and 3-0 in the EPAC, while Northampton is 5-3 overall and 3-0 in conference.

Bridgette Thornton leads the Cougars in scoring at 13.0 ppg, while Cristyna Batts tops the squad in rebound at 7.2 rpg.  Brianna Morales is Northampton's top scorer at 18.9 ppg while freshman Lacey LaRezza leads the team in rebounding at 9.2 rpg.

On the men's side, Lehigh Carbon's Frank DeJesus enters tonight's contest as the nation's top scorer at 29.0ppg.  DeJesus also leads the Cougars on the glass, grabbing 10 rebounds per night.  For Northampton, Malcolm Lyles is the top scorer at 16.0ppg, as NCC has four players averaging in double figures.  Freshman Jahbri Hargrove leads the Spartans on the glass with 7.4 rpg.  Sophomore Brent Maron is ranked 13th nationally in assists, with an average of 6.0 apg.

The Cougars enter the contest with an overall record of 2-6, with a 0-3 mark in conference play, while Northampton is 7-2 overall and 5-0 in conference play.  "This is always a great matchup," commented Head Coach Mike Kaminski, "I love these type of games, it will be a battle for 40 minutes."