Box Score   |  Post-game press conference

BRIDGEPORT, Conn.—Northeastern's struggles at the free-throw line continued on Sunday, negating a spirited second-half rally in a 64-60 loss to Fairfield in Bridgeport, Conn. The Huskies (2-8) used a 16-0 run to erase a double-digit halftime deficit but, ultimately, could not overcome 16 misses from the charity stripe.

In the loss, Scott Eatherton (Hershey, Pa.) continued his torrid pace for Northeastern. The junior forward registered his NCAA-leading eighth double-double of the season with 22 points and 14 rebounds.

After spotting the Stags (2-8) a 14-point lead just minutes into the second half, the Huskies used a relentless full-court press to mount a 16-0 run and take a 40-38 lead with just under 13 minutes to play. Three minutes later, with NU still leading by two, Fairfield's Maurice Barrow went off, scoring Fairfield's next 11 points as the Stags grabbed a 57-53 lead and never again trailed.

For the Huskies, Reggie Spencer (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) joined Eatherton in double-figures with 17 points. David Walker (Stow, Ohio) tallied seven points, while freshman guard T.J. Williams added six points and a career-high seven rebounds. Zach Stahl (Chanhassen, Minn.) chipped in with four points, while Demetrius Pollard (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Derrico Peck (Woodstock, Ga.) added two apiece.

Marcus Gilbert led Fairfield with a game-high 23 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Barrow scored 20 points for the Stags, 15 of which came in the second half.

Trailing by 14 points with 18 minutes to play, Northeastern staged a furious rally. The Huskies imposed their will with a swarming full-court press that forced five Fairfield turnovers and four contested misses over five minutes. The Stags, who appeared rattled, committed seven fouls during the stretch as NU seized a two-point lead, 40-38, with 12:55 remaining in the game.

Amadou Sidibe finally broke the Stags' drought with a layup that set the stage for a back-and-forth affair. The game featured five ties over the next eight minutes—the last of which coming at 4:29 when a Williams free throw leveled the game at 53. Barrow then sandwiched two layups around a pair of NU turnovers to give the Stags a lead they would never relinquish.

Fairfield took advantage of a cold-shooting first half for the Huskies to take a 10-point lead into the locker room. The Huskies managed just 29 percent shooting (7-24) in the opening half.

For the game, Northeastern shot 39 percent (18-46) from the floor, and 60 percent (24-40) from the free throw line. NU did not make a 3-point field goal (0-11). Fairfield connected on 45 percent (24-53) of its attempts from the floor, including 46 (6-13) from beyond the arc. The Stags shot 71 percent (10-14) from the line. NU won the rebounding battle, 40-27.

Northeastern will next travel to New Orleans to participate in the Westin Holiday Classic, hosted by Tulane University, Dec. 21-22. The Huskies will face UW Milwaukee on Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. (ET) before challenging the host, Tulane, on Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. (ET). The meeting with the Panthers will be the first in program history. NU holds a 2-0 series advantage against Tulane.


Game notes
> Scott Eatherton registered his NCAA-leading eighth double-double of the season (22 points, 14 rebounds)
> T.J. Williams collected a career-high seven rebounds
> Eatherton attempted 18 free throws, the fifth-most in a single game in program history
> Northeastern won the rebounding battle for the seventh time in 10 games this season; NU's +13 advantage on the boards was the largest in a game this season
> Northeastern's 40 free throw attempts were the most since Nov. 14, 2011 (40 at Massachusetts)
> Northeastern (0-11 3FG) failed to make a 3-point field goal in a game for the first time since Jan. 13, 2010, snapping a streak of 120 straight games with at least one made 3-pointer


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