HERKIMER,NY - The Northampton men's basketball team saw their season come to an end on Thursday morning, with a 78-66 loss to 5th seeded Dallas College -Eastfield in the NJCAA National Tournament.

The 8th seeded Spartans struggled from the floor for the second consecutive day, connecting on just 31.8% of their field goal attempts.  Kevin Rucker (Philadelphia, PA/Monsignor Bonner Prendergast) led Northampton with 22 points, while Julian Bair (Harrisburg, PA/Harrisburg High School) and Ermil Fleurinvil (Reading, PA/Downey Christian School) each added 10.  Jahad Marable (Philadelphia, PA/Science Leadership Academy - Beeber) pulled down a team-high 10 boards.

The Spartans, who led the country in defensive field goal percentage at 34.9%, held Eastfield to just 33.8% from the floor, but the Harvester Bees controlled the boards, 57-43, with 22 of those coming on the offensive end.  Martez James led Eastfield with 19 points and a game-high 18 rebounds.

"Overall, very happy with the season as a whole, but just wish we could have performed at a little higher level here in Herkimer," remarked Head Coach Brennan McCarthy, who was named North Atlantic B District Coach of the Year on Tuesday, "I thought our defense was pretty solid both days, though Eastfield hurt us on the boards today, but offensively we never really got on track in either contest."

The Spartans, the Region 19 and North Atlantic B District Champions, finish the season 26-6 overall.