Box Score PATERSON, NJ - Trailing by 21 points in the first half and by 9 at halftime, the Northampton men's basketball team battled back over the final 20 minutes to earn an 89-81 victory over Passaic County Community College on Saturday afternoon at the W.R. Martin Center.
The Spartans, who trailed 46-37 at intermission, outscored the Panthers 52-35 in the second half to pick up the road victory. "We got punched in the mouth early," stated Head
Brennan McCarthy, "but our guys responded and overcame adversity in a tough-setting to pick up a big road victory."
Tony James (Harrisburg, PA/Harrisburg ) led the Spartans with 19 points and 15 rebounds, while
Michael Jackson (West Lawn, PA/Wilson West Lawn),
Stephon Sheard (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) and
Nazir Gossette (Philadelphia, PA/Math, Civics & Sciences Charter) each finished with 13.
The Spartans finished 28 of 60 from the field and 32 of 46 from the line, converting only one 3-pointer during the contest (1-6).
Brian McKenzie (Lancaster, PA/J.P. McCaskey) dished out a team-high 4 assists and
Marquise McClean (York, PA/William Penn ) grabbed 11 boards for Northampton.
The win moves Northampton, which received votes in the latest NJCAA poll, to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the region.
Passaic falls to 3-4 overall and 2-3 in the Region.
The Spartans return to the hardwood on Tuesday night when they host the Hawks of Harrisburg Area Community College at 7pm.
