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Blanco’s Big Night Leads No. 9 Knights over NECC 94-51!

12.6.21

Nelvin FT vs Mercer

Nelvin Blanco

Warwick, R.I. – December 6, 2021: The No. 9 ranked (NJCAA DIII Men’s Basketball Poll) CCRI Knights Men’s Basketball Team traveled to Haverhill, MA to play the Blue Knights of Northern Essex Community College (NECC) on Saturday. The CCRI Knights defeated the NECC Blue Knights 94-51. With the victory CCRI improves to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in Region XXI play.

The No. 9 ranked CCRI Knights were riding a six-game win streak as they went on the road to face the Blue Knights of Northern Essex who came into the Region XXI match-up with a 4-6 record.

The CCRI Knights knew they had superior firepower compared to NECC and took advantage of that fact in the first half led by freshman point guard Nelvin Blanco (Cranston, RI) who scored 13 of his game-high 25 points in the first half. Blanco was assisted in the backcourt by freshman point guard RJ Pina (East Providence, RI) who added seven first half points. The Knights’ dynamic backcourt was aided by freshman center Levi King (Westerly, RI) who added seven points and freshman forward Theo Jadotte (Providence, R) who added six points. CCRI outscored NECC 44-29 to take a 15-point lead into the halftime break.

In the second half The Knights were able to widen their lead thanks in large part to the continued great play of Nelvin Blanco who added 12 additional points in the second. Co-Captain Mitchel Noresca (East Providence, RI) chipped in with 10 second half points as the Knights put the game away. As the put the game out of reach CCRI was able to get valuable minutes for their reserves as they coasted to the 94-51 victory.

Leading the way for the K nights was Nelvin Blanco (Cranston, RI) who scored a career-high 25 points while adding four assists, four steals and four rebounds. Co-Captain Mitchell Noresca scored 12 points with a game-high 15 rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot. RJ Pina had 11 points with four assists, two steals and three rebounds. Michael Resnick (Gloucester, RI) came off the bench to score 10 points with six rebounds, a steal and three blocked shots. Freshman forward Theo Jadotte added eight points, nine rebounds, a steal and an assist. “The Mullet Mamba” Matt D’Amato led NECC with 11 points.

The next game for the Knights will be this Thursday at 7pm when they host the Pointers of UConn-Avery Point at the Cullen fieldhouse as part of a doubleheader with the Lady Knights who will play UCAP at 5pm.

For all things CCRI Athletics, be sure to follow @CCRIAthletics on Instagram and Twitter!

The Community College of Rhode Island, New England’s largest comprehensive community college, enrolls nearly 10,000 students in credit courses and thousands more in non-credit and job training classes. Its athletic program boasts 12 varsity programs and an academic support program for all student-athletes.