Box Score PATERSON, NJ - In a Region 19 matchup featuring two top-15 teams, the 11th ranked Passaic County Community College Panthers topped the 15th ranked Northampton Spartans, 71-61, on Thursday evening at the Martin Center. 

In a game of runs, the Spartans jumped out to an 11-0 lead, only to see the Panthers go on a 13-0 run of their own.  Passaic led 32-25 at the break, but the Spartans tied the contest at 48 after 3 quarters. 

The Panthers took control of the contest late in the 4th quarter, outscoring the Spartans 23-13 to earn the hard-fought 23-13 victory. 

"I thought we played well in spurts," explained Head Coach Terrence Bomar, "but we are just not consistent enough over a 40 minute game."

Aslyn Toledo Rivera (Allentown, PA/William Allen) scored 24 points to lead Northampton, while Xion Spence (Bushkill, PA/East Stroudsburg North) added 15 points and 14 rebounds. 

Jasmine Pierce of Passaic led all scorers with 29. 

The loss drops the 15th ranked Spartans to 5-4 overall and 2-1 in Region 19. 

Passiac improves to 11-1 overall and 6-0 in Region 19.

Northampton returns to action on Sunday when they travel to Toms River, New Jersey to face Ocean County College, with tip-off slated for noon.