Once the clock struck midnight on Nov 1st the Northern Essex basketball team took the court to face Bunker hillCommunity college in what was the first midnight madness event in program history. In the early morning hours, The Knights defeated The Bull dogs 95-55 in a dominating fashion.  

NECC looked rusty early on trailing 7-4. The sluggish start urged head coach Darren Stratton to call a timeout. Following the timeout, The Knights found their footing turning the three-point deficit into a 13-point lead, 20-7. A pair of free throws by Bunker Hill at the 10-minute mark broke the streak. 

The Knights then went on a 17-2 run for a 37-11 advantage. This shifted the momentum completely towards NECC. 

A buzzer beating shot from behind the arc by freshmen Kyoya Sasaki of Tokyo, Japan put the Knights up 52-20 as they entered halftime. 

NECC took a moment during the break to recognize the Volleyball team for their 2023 region district title and upcoming tournament in Cedar Rapids, IA. Head coach Francesca Nival, and four players Abigail Heredia, YenelisBeltre, Telaviv Nunez and Chantel Melgen all of Lawerence, stood on center court to receive the nod. 

The Knights held The Bull dogs scoreless the first three minutes into the half. A lay up at the basket by a Bunker Hill ended their drought. In the next six minutes Bunker hill kept pace outscoring the Knights 12-9, 64-32 Knights. 

Across the final seven m

inutes The Knights went on a 25-9 run for the 95-55 win over Bunker hill. 

Returning First team All-American Luis Reynoso of Lawerence, MA led the team in points and rebounds with 15 and 12 respectively. Sasaki had an impressive college debut with 13 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Sophomore guard Darlin Santiago of Salem, MA chipped in with double digit points with 11. 

As a team, The Knights Impressed offensively shooting 43.4 percent and on defense holding The Bull dogs to just 23.2 percent in the game.