Box Score Box score

Sophomore Rachael Pecota led the Huskies with a career-high 25 points, including seven three-point field goals, but it was not enough, as Syracuse battled from behind to claim a 72-69 victory in both team's season-openers Friday night in the Carrier Dome.

Pecota led all scorers with 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Huskies while junior Jamie Conroy added 11 points for Northeastern and dished out a team-high seven assists. Senior Mia Mayberry also added 11 points for the Huskies.

Junior Kashaia Cannon tallied nine-points for Northeastern, including 3-of-5 from the three-point line. Sophomore Afreyea Tolbert chipped in six points and grabbed seven rebounds.

The Huskies controlled the game during the first half and held a 21-11 lead halfway through the period. Syracuse began to close the gap with two-consecutive baskets from sophomore Carmen Tyson-Thomas, forcing the Huskies to call for a timeout with the score at 21-15.

The Huskies scored the first points following the break off a layup from Tolbert but a foul by freshman Jewel Tunstull on the next possession sent Shakeyea Leary to the line. Leary connected on both shots for the Orange to bring the score to 23-17 in favor of the Huskies. Pecota pushed the lead to 26-17 with a three-point basket. Northeastern was able to maintain its lead for the remainder of the half and headed to the locker room with a 33-31 advantage.

The Huskies picked up where they left off at the beginning of the second half and quickly took a 42-35 lead off of treys from Cannon and Pecota, but Syracuse managed to close the gap to within four points, 46-42, at the first media timeout.

Cannon hit her second three-point field goal following the break to push the Huskies' lead to 49-42 and another three from Pecota and a jumper from freshman Sierra Mendenhall gave Northeastern a 12-point lead at 54-42.

Syracuse battled back and took its first lead since the opening basket at the 7:01 mark. Two free throws from Tunstull gave the 56-55 advantage back to the Huskies but a layup from Kayla Alexander put the Orange back on top.

With under four minutes to play, Syracuse took its 60-59 lead and began to pull away. Northeastern kept within striking distance and was down by four, 68-64, with just over two minutes to play. The teams traded baskets and a steal from Conroy gave the Huskies possession with thirty seconds on the clock.

Northeastern called for a timeout but could not connect after the stoppage and committed the foul to send Elashier Hall to the line. Hall connected on her second shot, pushing Syracuse's lead to 71-66 and forcing another Northeastern timeout. Conroy connected on a three-pointer after the break and the Huskies quickly fouled, sending Erica Morrow to the line. Morrow missed her second attempt but the offensive rebound by the Orange sealed the deal and the Huskies were dealt a 72-69 loss.

Northeastern out-shot the Orange 34.4 percent to 33.8 percent for the game and was perfect from the free-throw line, but Syracuse dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Huskies 65-29.

Northeastern (0-1, 0-0 CAA) returns to action on Tuesday night when the Huskies host Kent State at Solomon Court for their home opener. Game time is set for 7 p.m. Fans can catch all of the action on GoNU.TV.