Lackawanna College erased an eight-point deficit in the final nine minutes to defeat Essex County College, 93-87, and clinch a NJCAA Region 19 Division II men’s basketball playoff berth.
Essex led, 71-63, when Lackawanna went on an 18-2 run to open an 81-73 lead with 3:30 left. The Wolverines got as close as three points with 40 seconds left, but the Falcons hit free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Xavier Spears led Lackawanna (6-6 region, 15-13 overall) with 18 points. Jaksa Pejovic added 16 points, Latrell Mark chipped in 12 points and Noah Elias wound up with 12.
The Falcons will wait to see their seeding for the Region 19 playoffs, which begin next week. They have two nonregion regular-season games remaining: Thursday at home against Monroe University and Saturday at Cecil College in Maryland.
Women’s basketball
At Newark, New Jersey, Lackawanna College lost its ninth straight game, 86-34, to Essex County College in a NJCAA Region 19 Division II game Tuesday.
Sophia Summa led the Lady Falcons (1-13, 7-19) with 14 points. Alania Ortiz had seven points and Canyah Randle six points.