Box Score
Post-game comments (Daynia La-Force)

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Jewel Tunstull hit a game-winning jumper in the paint with one second remaining to a seal a 59-57 victory for the Northeastern women's basketball team (13-8, 6-4 CAA) over the Hofstra Pride (10-11, 6-4 CAA) in a wild contest on Thursday night at the Mack Sports Complex.

Northeastern trailed by three at halftime and didn't lead in the second half until under six minutes to play in the frame, before trading baskets over the game's final minutes before the clinching hook shot from Tunstull (Brooklyn, N.Y.). Sophomore A'lece Mark (Springfield, Mass.) scored 10 of her team-high 16 points in the second half, also dishing out three assists and swiping three steals. Senior tri-captain Deanna Kerkhof (Wallaceburg, Ontario) was the third Husky in double figures, pouring in 14 points and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds.

The Pride were paced by a 19-point, 16-rebound double-double from Shante Evans, who led all players in both categories. Anma Onyeuku also chipped in 18 points and nine rebounds, as the Pride held a 48-30 rebounding advantage. HU also shot 47.1 percent from the floor, compared to NU's 32.4 percent. Hofstra was held without a three-pointer in the game, going 0-for-10 from beyond the arc, and NU has now held back-to-back opponents without a three.

Filling out the scoresheet for NU was senior tri-captain Kashaia Cannon (Providence, R.I.) who scored eight points, and sophomore Amencie Mercier (Pierrefonds, Quebec), who added six points and three assists. Sophomore Tanisha Hopewell (Upper Marlboro, Md.) played a season-high 14 minutes, notching a career-high four rebounds and two assists, also a new personal best. Senior tri-captain Christine Huber (North Babylon, N.Y.) added two points and two rebounds.

The Huskies victory came despite converting just 22-of-68 from the field, but in large part due to NU forcing 29 Hofstra turnovers. The win was also NU's third of the year when trailing at halftime, all coming in CAA play. Northeastern won for the fourth time when shooting under 40 percent, and the second time when allowing an opponent to eclipse the mark.

Onyeuku scored the first basket of the game, grabbing an Evans miss for the easy put-back. Evans got the next three points herself, opening up an early five-point lead before Mark got NU on the board with a pair of free throws. Overall, Evans scored seven of the game's first 11 points, giving the Pride a 9-2 lead before the game's first media break at 15:40.

Baskets from Kerkhof and Tunstull got NU within five, before a pull-up jumper from Huber made  11-8. After the under-12 stop, another Evans bucket put the Pride back up seven before two Kerkhof threes cut it to 15-14 and forced a Hofstra timeout at 9:55.

After a Mercier three, Mark knocked down a runner to tie the game at 19-all for the first time since 0-0, right before the 7:36 stop. Mercier's second triple of the half gave the Huskies their first lead of the game at the 6:05 mark, but the Pride were able to take a 27-24 lead into the half thanks to an 0-for-7 stretch from the floor by NU to close the period.

Evans led all players with nine points and nine rebounds in the first half, while Kerkhof with eight points and four rebounds. The Huskies shot just 27.3 percent (9-33) from the floor in the first, but forced 13 Pride turnovers to keep the deficit at three.

Cannon found Tunstull inside to start the second, getting NU within one, and the game went to the first media timeout of the half at 15:58 with NU trailing 29-26. After a nearly five minute scoring drought for both sides, HU's Deven Green stretched the Pride lead to five, before Mark ended a six minute scoreless run for NU with a lay-in, and the Pride went the to the 11:53 break leading 33-28.

Following a Kerkhof technical free throw behind the stop, Cannon laid one in for her first basket of the day to get NU back within two. Mark got a jumper to go on the Huskies' next possession, tying the game at 33, before Evans put the Pride back on top at 9:31. Another Mark basket at 7:00 made it 41-39 Hofstra, leading to an HU timeout.

Cannon's first triple of the day gave NU a 42-41 lead at the 5:55 mark, the Huskies' first lead of the second half. The offense finally began to ratchet up over the next few possessions, and a Kerkhof triple gave NU a 47-45 lead a minute later. Another Mark jumper sent the game to its final media timeout with 3:58 remaining and NU leading 49-47.

After the stop, Mark fed a streaking Tunstull, who converted a three-point play and gave the Huskies their largest lead of the day at five. Back-to-back buckets from Evans and Onyeuku got the Pride back within one, and Onyeuku capped a 6-0 run at 2:13 to put the Pride back on top. Another Cannon three on the ensuing possession sent NU up two, before Onyeuku tied it at 55-55 with just over a minute to play.

With 42.7 seconds to play, Kerkhof snared a Mercier miss and was fouled, going to the line and knocking down a pair to put the Huskies back up two. Candace Bond converted for Hofstra from the paint with 30.4 seconds to play, tying it back up, and La-Force called time with the ball and 14 seconds remaining.

On the Huskies final possession, NU worked the ball in deep to Tunstull, who tried to post up Evans. Her initial attempt was rejected, but she grabbed the miss and floated in a game-winner with one second remaining on the game clock. Kerkhof deflected the ensuing HU inbounds attempt and the Huskies held on for the victory.

Next up, NU heads home for a Sunday matinee with UNCW on Feb. 10. Due to impending winter storm Nemo, game time has been moved up to 1 p.m. Prior to the game will be the Northeastern alumni game, and following the game there will be an alumni reception from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Alumni Center at 716 Columbus Place. Stay tuned to GoNU.com for any further scheduling updates.