Northern Essex concluded The Turkey classic with a women’s basketball 72-51win on Nov 26. The Knights improved to (3-1) with the victory. 

The Knights got on the board first with free throws from Briannah Namale of Lowell, MA. A corner three from McKaylaDingle of Haverhill, MA stretched their lead to 4-0. The Knights went on a 6-0 run for a 10-0 advantage. The sharks got on the board at the five-minute mark with a pair of free throws. A two-point shot from Dingle gave The Knights a 15-point lead. The score was 24-6 Knights after one. 

Early in the second quarter, The Sharks’ Alyssa Dixon made a basket as she was fouled by Mellisa Fuentes of Lawerence, MA during a shot. Dixon was sent to the line to complete the three-point play, 24-9. Suffolk kept pace with NECC going on a 12-10 run over the final four minutes of the quarter. The Knights took a 32-19 lead into the locker room. 

The Sharks whittled their deficit down to single digits in the third quarter on a layup by The Sharks’ Theresa Rivera 36-28. The Knights responded with a 15-0 run to lead 51-28 at the nine-minute mark in the third quarter. 

In the fourth quarter The Sharks were able to keep up with The Knights, outscoring them 23-22, but we’re never able to get closer than 20 points. The Knights hung on for the 72-51 win. 

Dingles was the team leader in points (22) Namale finished with (17). Mariah LaSalle of Lawerence, MA Emma Ruggiero of Chelmsford, MA and Mirelys. Morales of Dracut, MA all tallied nine points.