Haverhill, MA (March 2, 2024) – Behind a game high 19 point, 15 rebound effort from Luis Reynoso (Lawrence) the Northern Essex Community College men's basketball team is moving onto their third consecutive Region 21/East District Championship game as they defeated Massasoit Community College by a 63-52 final score on Saturday afternoon at the Sport and Fitness Center and in the process improved their record to 29-1 as they will head into the championship ranked #3 in the nation.

The Knights will take on the winner of this evening's second semi-final between Quincy College and Quinsigamond Community College.

The game was a close affair throughout as the 11 point margin of victory was the lone double digit lead of the game for either team. NECC took a 29-24 lead into the locker room at halftime. Massasoit would come out and tie the game in the early moments of the second half at 29 apiece but would never take a lead.

Darlin Santiago (Salem) and Edwin SamMbaka (Paris, FR) joined Reynoso in double figures as they scored 13 and 12 points respectively. On the defensive end, SamMbaka held Massasoit's leading scorer well under his season scoring average.

Javien Kirmil (Lowell) added eight points as he hit a pair of knock down three pointers at crucial points to allow the Knights to maintain their lead.

NECC will be looking for its second straight Region 21/East District Championship on Sunday and in the process will look to become the first repeat championship since Springfield Tech in 2003 and 2004.

Tip off on Sunday is set for 3:30pm from the Sport and Fitness Center