Box Score HARRISBURG, Pa. - While it was not a definitive must-win situation for the Northampton men's basketball team, Coach Brennan McCarthy and the Spartans knew the importance of Tuesday night's matchup in Harrisburg.  Playing for their playoff lives, the Spartans downed the host Hawks 73-67 behind 26 points from Juan Perez-Jones (Morrisville, PA /Pennsbury ) to improve to 9-10 overall, 7-10 in Region XIX and 7-6 in the EPAC. 

In a back and forth affair, that never saw either team lead by more than 6 points, Northampton used a strong second half and clutch free throw shooting from Justin Kellman (Reading, PA/Reading ) to secure the critical conference victory.  "The difference in the game was our ability to handle their pressure better and control the backboards in the second half," commented McCarthy, "we struggled somewhat in the first half, but I thought our effort and execution in the second half was very solid."

Perez-Jones finished 10 of 14 from the floor, including a perfect 5 for 5 from behind the arc, while Tyerell Mann (East Stroudsburg, PA /Notre Dame - East Stroudsburg ) recorded a double-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds and added 5 assists.  Edwin Lopez (East Stroudsburg, PA /Stroudsburg ) had a team-high 8 assists and Justin Kellman (Reading, PA/Reading ) added 10 rebounds to his 9 points to pace the Spartans. 

Northampton, which trailed by 5 with 13 minutes remaining, took a 6 point lead with 6 minutes to go in the contest and sealed the victory from the foul line. 

The loss drops Harrisburg, which defeated Northampton 83-71 on November 24th, to 9-9 overall, 7-6 in Region XIX and 7-6 in conference play. 

The Spartans will look to start a winning streak when they head to Widener University on Saturday to face Delaware County Community College at 1pm.