BETHLEHEM, Pa. - In a NJCAA heavyweight battle that lived up to the hype, 7th ranked Northampton topped #5 Montgomery, 62-60, on Saturday afternoon at the Arthur L. Scott Center, knocking the Mustangs from the ranks of the unbeaten. 

The Spartans jumped out to an early 14-0 first half lead and took a 3-point cushion into halftime at 30-27. 

Northampton was able to keep control of the action early in the second half, before Montgomery took their first lead of the game at 41-40, with 10:35 remaining.  The Spartans quickly retook the lead, only to see the Mustangs hit two consecutive 3-pointers and regain the lead at 47-46 with 6:18 left in the game.  Nate Rivera (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) hit a 3 with 5:40 remaining to give the lead back to the Spartans at 49-47.

The two Region 19 powerhouses would trade blows down the stretch with Montgomery eventually tying the contest at 60-60 on a 3-pointer with 14 seconds remaining, before Nate Rivera (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) hit a spinning floater in the lane to give the Spartans a 62-60 advantage with 6 seconds left.  Montgomery's 3-point attempt at the buzzer fell short and the Spartans secured the rebound and the victory.

"Big win for us heading into the break," commented Head Coach Brennan McCarthy, "really proud of how the guys played today, they put everything on the floor and it paid off with an important Region 19 victory."

Elijah Hamilton (Atglen, PA/Octorara Jr/Sr) led Northampton with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Nate Rivera (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) finished with 14. 

The win moves #7 Northampton to 12-3 overall, 8-1 in Region 19 and 7-0 in the EPAC.

5th ranked Montgomery falls to 10-1 overall, 9-1 in the Region and 6-1 in conference.

The Spartans are now off until January 9th when they host the Community College of Philadelphia at 7pm.