The Knights postseason run ended March 3 with a 65-48 loss to the community college of Rhode Island. The Knights will finish (12-9) and as regional runners-up in their first season back from a thirteen-year hiatus.

The Knights struck first in the opening quarter with a pair of free throws from guard Kamryn Pastorello of Billerica, MA. Pastorello went 1-2 at the line. CCRI responded with a 5-0 run to lead 5-1. The Knights found themselves in a three-point deficit after one frame 14-11.

NECC was able to keep pace with CCRI. Trailing by two with two minutes remaining in the half, forward Mirelys Morales hit a three-pointer to gain the lead 17-16. The Knights went on a 4-3 run over the final two minutes. NECC entered halftime up by a slim one-point Margin 21-20 and set up a chance for an upset.

Baskets from Morales helped NECC stay afloat in the third quarter and lead by four 29-24. At the five-minute mark of third quarter three NECC begin to unravel and see their 29-24 lead vanish within the blink of an eye. Over the final three minutes The Knights crumbled defensively allowing a 17-5 run to trail by 13, 48-35. 

Entering the final frame NECC attempted to rally but could not get less than within seven points as The Knights fell in the Region 21 finals

The Knights showed their postseason inexperience when CCRI applied pressure in the pivotal third quarter.

“As soon as they started pressuring us, we lost our heads a little bit and started to feel fatigue and they took full advantage” Explained head coach Malaquias Canery.

Morales shared Canery’s reasoning for the defeat.

“We lost it the moment they started pressuring us,” said Morales. “The moment they started applying pressure we just stopped playing the game we know how to play. We committed turnover after turnover, and they capitalized on it.”

Morales was the leader in points with 18 points. Pastorello and McKayla Dingle of Haverhill, MA joined her in double figures with 12 and 10 respectively.