SYRACUSE, NY - The Northampton men's basketball team, under first year head coach Brennan McCarthy, opened the 2015 campaign with a convincing 81-59 victory over nationally-ranked Delaware County Community College on Saturday evening at the Onondaga Community College Invitational.

The two EPAC foes battled back and forth throughout the half, with the Spartans trailing by three with 3 minutes remaining before intermission, Northampton locked down DCCC defensively, allowing only one basket to take a 35-30 lead into the locker room.

The Spartans came out the locker room flying, building their lead to 11 points in the first 5 minutes of the second half and the Phantoms never got closer than 8 points the rest of the way as Northampton opened the McCarthy-era with a victory.

Michael Samuel was 7 for 11 from the field, including a 4 for 5 performance from behind the arc, to lead the Spartans with 26 points.  Freshman Jamaal Aziz scored 21 points, dished out 4 assists and added 4 steals, while Tyrin Grantham (6 points) led the Spartans on the boards with 8 rebounds.

Zimir Geiger had 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead Delaware (0-1).

The Spartans (1-0) will face Onondaga Community College (1-0) on Sunday at 2:15pm in the tournament championship game.  The Lazers advanced with a 75-74 victory over Anne Arundel Community College (MD).
 

Leaders vs. Delaware County

Category	Name	Total
Points	Michael Samuel	26
Rebounds	Tyrin Grantham	8
Assists	Jamaal Aziz	4
Steals	Jamaal Aziz	4

 

11/1/2014 (Syracuse, NY)

Team	1st Half	2nd Half	Final
Northampton (1-0)	35	46	81
Delaware County (0-1)	30	29	59