HERKIMER, NY - The Northampton men's basketball fell in the NJCAA semifinals to #1 Sandhills Community College, 88-78, on Friday afternoon at the Lee Center on the campus of Herkimer College. 

The Spartans led 47-43 at halftime, shooting a sizzling 53% over the opening 20 minutes.  The second half was a different story, as the Flyers outscored Northampton 45-31, holding the Spartans to just 37% shooting from the field.

Sandhills outscored Northampton from behind the arc 24 to 6, knocking down 8 of 16 from distance. 

Northampton won the rebounding battle 34-29, but the balanced scoring attack of the Flyers, with 12 players scoring at least 1 point, proved to be too much. 

"The guys battled," remarked Head Coach Brennan McCarthy, "we hit a little wall in the second half, and Sandhills took advantage of it, but I'm so proud of the effort the guys put forward tonight.  Sandhills is very talented and very well-coached."

Tyrese Fuller (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin) scored 19 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, Mike Marable (Harrisburg, PA/Susquehanna) had 15 points and 9 rebounds and Titus Wilkins (Easton, PA/Executive Education Academy Charter) added 13 for the Spartans, who fall to 30-4 overall. 

Sandhills, now 30-3 overall, will now compete for the NJCAA National Championship on Saturday at 5pm.   The Flyers captured the NJCAA National title in 2012 and 2020. 

The Spartans will now face either #3 Brookdale or #10 Rochester in the 3rd place game on Saturday at 2pm.