DRYDEN, NY - The Northampton men's basketball team, which received votes in the NJCAA DIII preseason poll, opened the 2019-20 campaign with a convincing 85-64 victory over Tompkins-Cortland Community College on Friday night at the Panther Dome. 

Tony James (Harrisburg, PA/Harrisburg) led a balanced attack with 24 points and 9 rebounds, as 19 Spartans saw action in the 21-point victory. 

"We are still trying to figure a number of things out," lamented Head Coach Brennan McCarthy, "but I saw some real positives and we were able to get a lot of guys some minutes tonight, as our depth could be a real key for us this season."

Stephon Sheard (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) scored 15 points and added 4 rebounds and 4 assists. 

The Spartans shot 55% from the field (36/65) while holding the Panthers to just 38% and also held a +9 advantage on the boards.

Northampton, now 1-0, is off until November 9th when they travel to Valley Forge Military Academy. 

Tompkins-Cortland, of Region 3, falls to 0-1.