Haverhill, MA (January 17, 2023) – Following a 2-0 week and extending their winning streak to 12 games with an overall record of 16-1 the Northern Essex Community College men's basketball team has jumped two spots in the week 9 poll to the number five position.

NECC moved up to the five spot by receiving a total of 77 points to move into the ahead of Dallas College – Eastfield who slipped to the six position. Brookdale College remains the number one ranked team in the nation with a 14-0 record and received 105 points and all nine first place votes.

The ranking is the high-water mark for the program as they picked up wins over UConn-Avery Point and Gateway Community College last week. In the 109-52 victory over UCAP Darlin Santiago (Salem, MA) made his first career start and recorded 29 points on 8-11 shooting from behind the three-point line. In Saturday's win over Gateway, Luis Reynoso (Lawrence) recorded a triple double of 27 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Knights.

The Knights will hit the court for a pair of road games this week before returning home for a five-game home swing beginning Tuesday January 24. Tonight, the Knights will head west to Holyoke Community College for a 7:00pm tip-off before traveling to Bristol Community College on Saturday.