South Portland - The Seawolves opened up the new year in winning fashion as they downed the Knights of Northern Essex CC by a score of 79-68 in tonight's men's basketball action. The Seawolves were able to use their depth and a balanced scoring attack, putting 12 players in the scorebook, to overcome the Knights. 

Knights' point guard Edwin Gonzalez scored seven of his teams first nine points as Northern Essex jumped out to an early 9-6 lead after five and a half minutes of play. The Seawolves responded with a 14-5 run to pull ahead 20-14 midway through the half. The teams exchanged baskets until Northern Essex was able to edge the Seawolves by one with with 4:07 remaining but the Seawolves closed out the half with a 10-3 run to go into the break ahead sporting a 39-33 lead.

Seawolves' forwards Carlos Gonzalez (Lewiston, ME) and Tyheem Simon (Queens, NY) netted a pair of layups to open the second half and expand the Seawolves lead to ten, 43-33. The Seawolves would build on their lead throughout the half, until they gained their largest lead of the game at 19 points, with seven minutes to play. Down but not out, the Knights' chipped away at the Seawolves lead and were able to get it down to ten, 73-63, but Simon haulted the Knights' run with a pair of made free throws and the Seawolves were able to hang on and pick up their thirteenth win of the seaon. 

Simon led the Seawolves with 12 points while Atencio Martin (Kittery, ME) and Josh Tuplin (Bath, ME) each pitched in 11. Shooting guard Grayson Waterman (Berwick, ME) added 10 and Jordan DeRosby (Waterville, ME) netted nine points and grabbed a team high 10 rebounds.

Edwin Gonzalez led the Knights with a game high 24 points. 

The Seawolves (13-2, 8-0 YSCC) will be back on the court on Saturday at home against the College of St. Joseph's (VT) at 3pm.