HERKIMER, NY - The Northampton men's basketball team fell to North District champion Genesee Community College, 68-62, in the opening round of the NJCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championships on Wednesday afternoon at host site Herkimer College.
The Spartans, the North Atlantic District B champion and #8 seed, came out strong in the first half and grabbed the early advantage heading into the intermission, 36-31, over the #9 seed Cougars.
Genesee was able to erase the Spartans halftime lead just 4 minutes into the second half, going ahead of the Spartans, 39-38, with 16:01 remaining. Both teams went back and forth trading baskets, with the Spartans again extending a lead to, 55-49, with just under 8 minutes showing on the game clock. With 5 minutes remaining,
Kevin Rucker (Philadelphia, PA/Monsignor Bonner Prendergast) hit a pair of free throws for the Spartans, and gave the Spartans their last lead, 60-59.
Genesee was able to hold off the Spartans in the final minutes of play, extending their lead to, 64-62, and holding the Spartans scoreless in the final three minutes, creating enough distance to seal the opening round win, 68-62.
"Tough battle today and I am proud of our team," explained Spartans Head Coach
Brennan McCarthy, "Not the result we wanted but proud of our team, coaches and season. We get to be back out on the floor again tomorrow. No reason for anyone to hang their heads."
Jahad Marable (Philadelphia, PA/Science Leadership Academy - Beeber) led the Spartans with 18 points and 7 rebounds and was 7-10 from the free throw line.
Kevin Rucker (Philadelphia, PA/Monsignor Bonner Prendergast) scored 12 points and
Terrence Cobb (Chester, PA/STEM Academy) chipped in with 14 points and 4 rebounds.
Mekhi Shillingford (Philadelphia, PA/Penn Wood High School) scored 5 points and grabbed a team high 10 rebounds in the loss.
Northampton is 26-5 overall.
The Spartans are on the floor one last time tomorrow in a NJCAA Men's Basketball Championship consolation match-up against #5 Dallas College - Eastfield at 10am at the Herkimer College varsity gymnasium.
