Pinehurst, NC (November 8, 2025) – In a battle of top 10 nationally ranked teams the eighth ranked Northern Essex Community College went on the road and defeated six ranked Sandhills Community College by a 92-78 final score. The win improves the Knights to 3-1 on the young season.

The Knights trailed by as many as 11 points in the first before turning up the defensive pressure in the closing minutes of first half and went into the locker room knotted at 43 with the Flyers.

NECC took their first lead of the game in the opening moments of the second half on a drive to the basket by Yuno Matsuda (Tokyo, JP) for two of his 15 points in the game and never trailed again as they opened a second half lead to as many as 17 points before holding on in the closing moments.

Alejandro Delgado (Haverhill) and Christian Sanders (Boston) both tallied double-double performances as Delgado dropped a game high 22 points to go along with 13 rebounds while Sanders poured in 13 points and 14 rebounds.

Alex Johnson (Worcester) gave the Knights four scorers' in double figure with 14 points including four three point baskets in the second half.

The Knights had strong bench play with 20 points off the bench led by eight points from Johnarieus Davis (Waterbury, CT).

The Knights will return to the Sandhill campus on Sunday when they play Patrick and Henry Community College.