i

NECC returns from break

After nearly a month off, the Northern Essex men's basketball team returned and immediately went right back to work.

Jonathan Paulino scored 11 points and pulled down 16 rebounds against Lincoln.

After traveling to Southern Maine Community College and hosting Lincoln College of New England -- two games in which the Knights played solid, team basketball but came up short -- NECC earned a hard-fought win against Vermont Technical College.

It was the Knights first win against Vermont Tech in three tries, picking up the 57-53 win. They dropped the 2013 contest 58-55 and the 2014 match-up 78-65. Bryan Morales led the NECC squad in scoring with 13 points while maintaining lock-down defense on Vermont Tech's leading scorer Jamal Hughes to four second half points.

Jonathan Paulino has been the anchor of the Knights second half. The freshman forward from Lawrence is averaging eight points and 10.7 rebounds per game over the past three contests. Against Lincoln College, Paulino scored 11 points and pulled down 16 boards in the loss.

Edwin Gonzalez had his best game of the season when the team traveled to South Portland. Gonzalez put up 24 points on 10-of-19 shooting and also came way with three rebounds.

The Knights are back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Fall River to take on Bristol Community College. NECC lost the first match-up to the Bees 77-63. Matt Jameson had 17 points in that game to lead Northern Essex.