The Panthers men's basketball team opened the 2024-25 season with a non-region game against one of the top teams in the nation. Playing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the Panthers dropped a 67-60 final to Northampton Community College. It was the second game of the season for the 2-0 Spartans, who received votes in the NJCAA preseason national rankings.

The game opened with Kobe Nwosu (Spring Valley/North Rockland H.S.) getting the Panthers on the board first with a put-back on the first possession. Northampton answered with nine straight to take the lead. The Panthers got it back to three at the half, trailing 30-27. A jumper by Javonte Long (Harlem/Clayton H.S.) to open the second half, and when Marqiis Samuels (Long Island/The Patrick School) scored on a layup, the Panthers were back in front, 31-30. After a free throw by Long pushed the score to 32-30, the Spartans went on a 14-0 run to regain the lead. Northampton led by as many as 13 before the Panthers again rallied, pulling within three on another basket by Long, 52-49 with five minutes left to play. After Nothampton scored, a three-point play by Nwosu made it a two-point game, 54-52, with four minutes left. The teams traded points, with the spread still at two points with 70 seconds left, but Northampton scored five straight in the final minute to put the game away.

Long led all scorers with 24 points while also pulling down 9 rebounds. Nwosu had 11 points and 9 rebounds.

Looking ahead

The Panthers host Genesee Community College on Saturday, November 9 for the Mid-State Athletic Conference opener.