BOSTON -- The Northeastern Huskies open their second conference road trip of the season on Sunday, Jan. 18 when they head to Charleston, South Carolina, to face off against a new CAA foe in the Charleston Cougars. The Cougars joined the CAA one season ago, and this will be NU's second trip to Charleston in the program's history. The Huskies and the Cougars will tip-off at 2 p.m. Northeastern is 0-2 on the road this year against CAA foes.
Storylines• The Huskies are fresh off their first Colonial Athletic Association victory of the season after defeating the UNCW Seahawks 73-64 on Friday, Jan. 16. The team put together one of its finest offensive performances of the season, finishing with over 70 points and a 39 percent mark from the floor.
•
Samantha DeFreese paced the Huskies for the third straight game in the victory. During her last four outings, the junior has amassed 72 points, most recently dropping 21 against the Seahawks.
• Senior guard
A'lece Mark had another strong game on Friday, recording her third double-double of the season. The Huskies are now 3-0 when the Springfield, Massachusetts, native records a double-double.
• Northeastern went to the free-throw line 30 times, a season high, in the win against UNCW. NU connected on 24 of its attempts from the charity stripe. The Huskies, however, played extremely disciplined basketball, putting the Seahawks on the free-throw line just 12 times.
• The next three games for Northeastern are all on the road prior to a home matchup against Hofstra on Friday, Jan. 29. Following their game against the Cougars, it's a five-day trip to take on both Towson and Elon starting on Thursday, Jan. 22 in Maryland. The game against Elon is slated for Sunday, Jan. 25.
All-time vs. Charleston
The Charleston Cougars and Northeastern Huskies have a short history, as they have only met twice on the court with both showdowns taking place last season, the Cougar's first in the Colonial Athletic Association. The teams split the two games, with both road teams earning a victory. The first came in Cabot Center in mid-January with Charleston winning, 90-74. Just three weeks later, the Huskies entered TD Arena and defeated Charleston 61-53.
DeFreese continues to rollJunior forward
Samantha DeFreese scored 21 points, while collecting seven rebounds against the UNCW Seahawks in her last outing. During the past four games, DeFreese has amassed 71 points. She has broken the 20-point mark in three of her last four games.
Mark sets the toneA'lece Mark is fresh off another double-double, this one coming against UNCW. The senior has now recorded a double-double in three contests this year, and the team is 3-0 when she does. She scored 17 points and corralled 10 rebounds in the win against the Seahawks.
Leading the wayThe Huskies led against the Seahawks for 36 minutes, including the entire second half of Friday's game. The team jumped out to an early five-point lead and never looked back. The Seahawks would bring it within one points late in the second half, but NU responded and never relinquished its lead.
Free-throw frenzyThe Huskies went to the free-throw line 30 times against the Seahawks, connecting on 24 of their attempts. That marks a new season high for the team.
Sally's double-doubleFollowing a rough stretch, the Northeastern Huskies received stellar production out of starting center
Francesca Sally against the Delaware Blue Hens. The Denver, Colorado, native recorded her second career double-double – the first came against Florida Atlantic University – after scoring 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
Assisting AmencieSenior Captain
Amencie Mercier has recorded 22 assists during the past four games. She paces the Huskies with a 3.6 assist per game average.
Back on the roadFollowing a three-game home stand, the Huskies are back on the road. They have already gone through two four-game road trips this season, and will play their next three away from Cabot Center. NU has a 1-6 mark away from home this season.
Dynamic duoSenior
A'lece Mark and
Samantha DeFreese have combined to account for 55 percent of the team's offense over its last tjree games. Northeastern has scored 211 points in its last two outings; Mark and DeFreese have accounted for 117 points.
Huskies all-time vs. the CAA
The Huskies, who joined the CAA in 2005, are looking to improve on their overall CAA record. NU's conference mark over the past 10 seasons is 58-119. The team has yet to claim a CAA championship, but has improved in postseason play during the previous few seasons.
Huskies win together
Northeastern had four players –
Amencie Mercier,
Samantha DeFreese,
A'lece Mark, and
Francesca Sally – score in double-figures against Hofstra. It's the fifth time this season at least four players have scored in double-figures. The team is 3-2 when at least four players reach the 10-point mark.
Capitalizing on miscues
The Huskies scored a season-high 29 points off turnovers against the Hofstra Pride. As a team, NU forced Hofstra into 24 turnovers, including several clutch plays down the stretch in the team's overtime game.
Sally putting it together
Francesca Sally put together one of her finest nights on the court in the team's setback to Boston College. She registered seven points, tied a season high with 14 rebounds, and recorded three assists, and three blocks.
Last time outThe Northeastern Huskies defeated the UNCW Seahawks, 73-64, on Friday night to earn their first Colonial Athletic Association victory of the season. The Huskies utilized one of their strongest shooting performances of the season to down their rival, finishing with a 39 percent mark from the floor.
Kelly Cole's squad went 21-for-53 during the 40 minutes of action, including a mark of seven-for-17 from downtown.
All in all, the Huskies (4-11, 1-4) led the Seahawks (6-10, 2-3) for 36 minutes. At the top of the stat sheet for NU was
Samantha DeFreese. The junior finished with 21 points, on eight-of-12 shooting, highlighted by going two-of-three from downtown. She added seven rebounds and an assist to her stat line.
Just behind the Bergenfield, New Jersey, native was guard
A'lece Mark. The senior ended her night with a double-double – her third of the season – accounting for 17 points and 10 boards.
Kazzidy Stewart,
Francesca Sally and
Amencie Mercier also contributed solid performances in the win.
Stewart, who made her fourth start of the year, finished with a season-high 16 points to go along with five rebounds and one assist. Sally nearly chipped in a double-double, falling just short with nine points and 10 rebounds. The Huskies jumped out to a five-point lead four minutes in and never looked back. The ball movement from Cole's team was terrific, resulting in open looks. Northeastern knocked down its open looks, pushing its lead to as many as 13 points. The Seahawks were able to cut the lead to just one point with 10 minutes to go in the half, but NU kept its composure and maintained a lead en route to the victory.
The road aheadThe Huskies now head to Towson, Maryland, for a showdown with the Tigers on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. Three days later, NU is in Elon to face the Phoenix on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m.
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