Defense Prevails as OCC Tops Sussex in Overtime, 60-57

Toms River, NJ - Ocean County College Men's Basketball improved to 5-5 overall this season following a 60-57 overtime victory against the Skylanders of Sussex County Community College.

Ocean sophomore guard Josh Kline led Viking scoring with 23 points in the win, along with 5 steals, 5 assists, and 8 rebounds. Kline is currently ranked 1st in the nation with 4.7 steals per game, and 6th in points-per-game with 22.1. Ocean sophomore guard/forward Ethan Paul was also essential tonight, with a 13-point, 8-rebound effort that included his sinking a free throw with 7 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime. Paul ranks 12th nationally with 20.8 points-per-game and 10.6 rebounds. The Vikings forced 17 turnovers and pulled in 40 rebounds in this contest, a defensive performance that played no small part in securing win number 5 on the season.   

"Our defense won us this basketball game, plain and simple," recounted OCC Men's Basketball Head Coach Patrick Boylan. "We were able to come up with timely stops during critical parts of the game, to escape with a victory."

The Vikings return to action on Tuesday, December 20, when they travel to Passaic County Community College for a 6 P.M. matchup versus the Panthers.