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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Despite a strong shooting performance in the second half, the Northeastern Huskies fell to the Harvard Crimson, 67-65, at Lavietes Pavilion on Saturday, Dec. 20, in Kelly Cole's first game against her former team.
 
Harvard's AnnMarie Healy hit the game-winning shot with seven seconds left.
 
Northeastern (2-5, 0-0) led by as many as 10 in the second half, but the team was unable to maintain its lead during the final minutes of the game, allowing Harvard (5-4, 0-0) the chance to win it late.
 
The Huskies were paced by guard Tiffany Montagne's 16 points. The junior converted on six-of-13 shots in the setback, including four-of-11 from downtown. This is the second straight game she has led the Huskies in scoring. Along with Montagne, A'lece Mark and Tanisha Hopewell ended their nights in double-figures with 16 and 10 points, respectively. Hopewell's 10 points are a new career high.
 
The story of the game for Northeastern was the team's performance in the final 20 minutes. The Huskies had eight steals in the second half, leading to several fast-break points to get back into the game. Down by as many as 10, Northeastern continued to run its offense and the shots began to fall. 
 
After not leading at all in the opening half, Cole's squad started the final stanza with a 10-2 run to take the lead from Harvard, 34-30. Junior forward Samantha DeFreese had five of the team's 10 points. The Huskies would go on to widen the gap to as many as 10, 49-39, with 8:01 left, but a 14-6 run over a four-minute span brought the Crimson back within striking distance.
 
Harvard would regain the lead, 58-55, after converting on free-throw attempts. Northeastern, however, would not go down without a fight. Montagne converted on back-to-back 3-pointers to keep the Huskies within one of the Crimson. Mark tied the game with 41 seconds left. The senior drove from the left elbow and scored a lay-up to tie it at 65-65, but Harvard's final shot went in for the victory.
 
NU won several critical battles on the stat sheet, including points in the paint, where they outscored Harvard 36-23. They also dominated the steals category, generating 13 during the course of the game, and committed five fewer turnovers than the Crimson.
 
The first half was a struggle for Northeastern on the offensive end. The Huskies connected on nine-of-37 shots from the floor, including two-of-15 from downtown. Northeastern, however, won the rebound battle by a 26-24 margin, and forced Harvard into seven turnovers. Sophomore center Francesca Sally set a new career high with three steals.
 
Pacing NU was Amencie Mercier with seven points, while both Mark and Hopewell chipped in four first-half points.
 
Northeastern returns to action on Monday, Dec. 22 when they host the Wildcats of New Hampshire at Cabot Center. It's the team's first game at home since defeating Marist one month ago on Nov. 22. Following their game against the Wildcats, the Huskies then take a quick break before heading to Albany to square off against the Great Danes. That game is slated to begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 28.
 
Game Notes
• Francesca Sally set a new career high with four steals.
• Tanisha Hopewell recorded a new career high with 10 points.
• This was the Huskies final of four straight games on the road. 

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