Box Score

BOSTON—Four players scored double-digits as the Northeastern women's basketball rolled passed NJIT, 79-55, at Cabot Center on Saturday afternoon. With the win, NU improves to a 4-1 overall record, marking the best start since 1998 when the Huskies started the season 6-1.

"This was a real Northeastern win," said head coach Daynia La-Force. "We played well from the tip, we shared the ball really well, and we were dictating this entire game. That is what winning should feel like."

Junior captain A'lece Mark led a quartet of Huskies in double-digits for the fourth time this season after notching her fifth 10-plus scoring game with 18 points. Mark added to her well-rounded performance with a career-best nine rebounds and season-high six assists. Lone-senior Jewel Tunstull joined Mark in double-digits with 16 points while Kazzidy Stewart and Amencie Mercier chimed in with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Stewart and Mercier both tied career-high 3-point field goals with two apiece, while Tunstull went a perfect eight-for-eight from the charity stripe.

Rookie DaChe Williams made her first collegiate appearance adding nine points for the Huskies along with four rebounds and a steal, while Samantha DeFreese collected four points, five rebounds and an assist. Francesca Sally, Onia Webb and Sade Iriah tallied four points collectively to complete the Huskies' scoring column.

"We prepare all of our players to play and contribute," said La-Force. "Everyone has to be ready when their number is called and they showed that tonight."

Martina Matejcikova led the Highlanders in scoring, totaling 14 points while Shakia Robinson and Uju Nwankwo added 11 and 12 points, respectively.

The Huskies dominated from the start, putting up a 13-4 advantage after hitting three shots from behind the arc in the first three minutes of play. NJIT attempted to close the gap after landing a layup from the right side, but a 3-pointer from Williams and a layup from Sally extended the Huskies early lead, 18-7.

The Highlanders responded with a three, but Montagne nailed one of her own to reclaim an 11-point advantage for the Huskies, 21-10. NJIT was unable to land consecutive shots as Tunstull landed two buckets from the charity stripe to maintain NU's 11-point lead. A 3-pointer and a successful free-throw shot brought the Highlanders to within seven, but Northeastern used an 18-4 surge to enter the half, 48-27, with its biggest lead of the game. 

Just 45 seconds into the second half, the Highlanders utilized a turnover to push a layup to come within 19, but that would be the smallest deficit for the remainder of the game. Stewart threw up her first 3-pointer to kick off a 9-4 Northeastern run as the Huskies mounted a 60-33 cushion in three minutes of play. Northeastern maintained at least 24-point lead as NJIT logged 12 field goals throughout the second frame.

With 3:22 left in regulation, the Highlanders recorded a 6-0 run, but it was not enough to stop the Huskies from closing out the game, 79-55.

For the game, Northeastern shot 50 percent (28-56) from the floor, 41.7 percent (10-24) from 3-point range, and 76.5 percent (13-17) from the free-throw line. The Huskies held the Highlanders to 36.5 percent (23-63) shooting, including 20.0 percent (4-20) from the arc and 71.4 percent (5-7) from the charity stripe. NU also owned the rebounding battle, 38-34.

The Huskies return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 26, when they take on crosstown rival Harvard at 7 p.m.

GAME NOTES
•  Amencie Mercier notched her first double-digit scoring game of the season and the second of her career (10) and tied a career-best two 3-pointers.
• A'lece Mark tallied her fifth double-digit scoring game of the season to lead the Huskies in points for the fourth time this year.
•  Tiffany Montagne tied a career-best two shots from the arc.
• Jewel Tunstull went a perfect eight-for-eight from the charity stripe to post her most successful free-throw performance.
• In her first career appearance over one minute, Daché Williams posted nine points, four rebounds and a steal.
• Kazzidy Stewart recorded a career-best 12 points and tied a career-high two 3-pointers. The sophomore shot 100 percent (5-5) from the floor for the second time this season.
• The Huskies had four players score in double digits, marking the first time since March 6, 2013 in an 88-81 win over Hofstra.
• Northeastern now holds a 4-1 overall record, the best start in a season since 1998 when the Huskies participated in America East play.
• NU's 28 field goals, 10 3-pointers and 16 assists mark new season highs for the Huskies.

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