BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The 12th ranked Northampton men's basketball team suffered their first loss of the season on Thursday, falling to Passaic County Community College, 77-75, at the Arthur L. Scott Center. 

The Spartans, who led 75-63 with 3:53 remaining, went cold down the stretch and Passaic took their first lead of the second half, at 76-75, with 23 seconds remaining on a Keymani Nevers bucket in the paint.

Northampton, which led 47-33 at the half, shot only 9 of 39 in the second stanza, getting outscored 44-28.

Nasir Ruhani (Brooklyn, NY/Eagle Academy (NY)) scored 24 points, Josh Washington (Bethlehem, PA/Executive Charter) had a double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds, but the Spartans committed 24 turnovers and shot just 39% for the game.

The loss drops Northampton to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in Region 19.

Passaic improves to 4-5 overall and 3-4 in the Region.

The Spartans travel to Lancaster, PA on Saturday to face Thaddeus Stevens College.