BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Northampton men's basketball team used a dominating second half to overcome a 5-point halftime deficit to earn an 89-68 victory over the Misericordia JV on Sunday afternoon at the Spartan Center. 

After allowing the Cougars to shoot 48% from the field in the first 20 minutes, the Spartans found themselves trailing 38-33 at the intermission, but a couple of adjustments at halftime was all it took to swing the contest in Northampton's favor. 

"We didn't do a good job denying the post entry pass in the first half," commented Head Coach Brennan McCarthy, "and I felt we were a little slow getting out on shooters.  In the second half, the guys did a nice job limiting those two things and we were able to hold them to 37% shooting from the floor, which allowed us to get out in transition."

The Spartans put 56 points on the board in the second half, shooting a blistering 62% from the floor.  Tony James (Harrisburg, PA/Harrisburg ) had 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Raylil Law-Winton (Pennsbury, PA/Pennsbury) added 14, including four 3-pointers, and Reuben Soto (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom) added 13 for Northampton. 

The win moves Northampton, which received votes in the initial NJCAA poll to 3-0 overall. 

The Spartans return to conference play on Tuesday night when they travel to Luzerne County Community College for a 7:00pm tip vs. the Trailblazers.