HAZLETON, Pa. - The 4th ranked Northampton men's basketball team opened the 2023-24 season on Thursday evening with a 69-66 loss to Penn State -Hazleton. 

CJ Miles (Bangor, PA/Bangor) led the Spartans with 18 points, while freshman Arkel Batts (Middletown, PA/Middletown) added 16.

Northampton was without veteran Head Coach Brennan McCarthy, who was serving his one-game suspension from his ejection during the final game of the NJCAA National Tournament in March. 

The loss drops the Spartans to 0-1, while PSU improves to 1-0.

The Spartans are back in action on Saturday with a Top-10 showdown vs. 8th ranked Prince George's Community College (MD) at 3:00pm. Tickets are $3 for adults and $1 for students.  NCC faculty, staff and students are free with valid college ID.