BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Northampton men's basketball team opened the 2024-25 campaign with a 96-57 victory over Eastern University JV on Friday evening at the Arthur L. Scott Center. 

Nate Rivera (Bethlehem, PA/LIberty) scored a team-high 21 points to lead five Spartans in double figures as Northampton shot 46% from the field and and 71% from the charity stripe en route to their 96-point outing. 

Kamari Brasher (Roslyn, PA/Abington) recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds and Josh Washington (Bethlehem, PA/Executive Charter) added 15 points in his college debut.

"Definitely some opening game nerves and rust," remarked Head Coach Brennan McCarthy, "but overall I was pleased with our effort and we did some good things on the defensive end, holding them to 34% shooting from the field."

Northampton, which received votes in the NJCAA preseason poll, moves to 1-0 with the win.

The Spartans are back in action on Sunday when they host Tompkins-Cortland Community College at 1pm.