Massasoit (1-3, 1-3) trailed from the tip, but tied the score at 65-all with 2:12 remaining when Jackson buried a 3-pointer from the corner.

Northern Essex would make 4-of-6 free throws over the next two minutes before Jones put in a layup to pull within two with 11.1 seconds left.

On the ensuing possession for NECC, Elijah Mukiibi was fouled and made the back end of two free throws, to put the visiting Knights up three, 70-67.

The Warriors pushed the ball up the court and called timeout with 2.9 seconds remaining. Jones fired a deep 3-pointer, but his shot was blocked as time expired.

Jones kept the Warriors in the game in the second half, as he scored 17 of his team-best 22 points after intermission. He also dished out a season-high 11 assists, seven in the second half, for his first double-double of the season.

Jackson finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Jahleel Moise recorded 10 points, eight rebounds and eight blocks.

NECC's Parker Rogers led all scorers with 24 points.

WHY MASSASOIT LOST: The free throw line proved to be the difference in the game on Tuesday. Massasoit went just 1-for-7 at the charity stripe, while Northern Essex made 17 shots at the line despite taking 31 attempts.

STAT OF THE GAME: Massasoit finished with a season-best 19 assists off 30 made baskets. Jones recorded 11 helpers in the win. The Warriors previous high in assists was 10 at No. 9 Dean on Nov. 13.

MOISE LEADS NATION IN BLOCKS: Jahleel Moise added eight more blocks to his season total, giving the sophomore 37 swats through four games. His 9.25 blocks per game leads all of NJCAA across all three divisions. In fact, Moise is the only player on Massasoit to record a block this season.

NEXT UP: Massasoit hosts Bunker Hill on Thursday at 8 p.m.