BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Nationally Ranked Northampton Men's Basketball team extended their win streak to six games to start the season as they upended the Dukes of RCSJ-Cumberland on Tuesday night at the Arthur L. Scott Center, 93-80.

Northampton, climbing to 6th in the most recent NJCAA national poll, battled with the visiting Dukes in a spirited and competitive first half of basketball and carried a 10-point lead into the intermission, 40-30. The Spartans came out strong in the second half, a consistent trend in the early going this season, and were able to keep enough distance from the Dukes to secure the win, 93-80.

"Good test tonight," commented Spartans Head Coach Brennan McCarthy, "I felt we battled through a tough first half of basketball and came out strong in the second half and we were able to hold things together and finish. We put forward another solid effort tonight and I am pleased with where things are right now."

Sophomore Guard Kevin Rucker (Philadelphia, PA/Monsignor Bonner Prendergast) led the Spartans offense with 21 points and 6 rebounds along with 4 assists. Rucker was 6-14 from the floor and 7-8 from the free throw line. Forward Deyishon Miller (Philadelphia, PA/West Philadelphia High School), shooting 7-9 from the floor and 5-5 from the charity stripe, recorded the double-double with 19 points and 12 boards. Guard Jahad Marable (Philadelphia, PA/Science Leadership Academy - Beeber) scored 17 points and grabbed 5 rebounds while Mekhi Shillingford (Philadelphia, PA/Penn Wood High School) scored 11 points with 5 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. Sophomore Point Guard Terrence Cobb (Chester, PA/STEM Academy), the EPAC Player of the Week, scored 9 points and dished out 10 assists to round out the win.

The Spartans improve to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in Region 19.

The Dukes fall to 1-3 overall and 1-3 in the Region.

The Spartans will be back in action on Thursday night when they host the Hornets of Broome Community College (NY) at 7pm at the Arthur L. Scott Center.