Box Score • Season Statistics • Infographic • Press Conference

BOSTON – The Northeastern Huskies and the William & Mary Tribe played a classic CAA game that came down to the wire but ultimately ended in favor of the Tribe, 72-66, on Sunday, Feb. 1. 
 
The teams needed two overtime periods to decide the winner after both played extremely well in the game's first 40 minutes. The Tribe jumped out early on the Huskies in the second overtime period and maintained their lead during the course of the extra five minutes.
 
Northeastern, however, never showed a sign of giving up and quitting, and brought it within striking distance several times.
 
With just nine seconds to go, senior guard A'lece Mark hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to three. The team then intentionally fouled, but William & Mary's Marlena Tremba made one-of-two from the free-throw line to secure the win.
 
Coach Kelly Cole and her team received a tremendous amount of production from Samantha DeFreese, who finished with her third double-double of the season with 18 points and 13 rebounds. The junior provided the Huskies with a tremendous effort off the bench.
 
Along with DeFreese, Francesca Sally had a strong game, ending her afternoon with 10 points and eight rebounds. The third Husky in double-figures was Amencie Mercier, who wrapped up her night with 13 points and four assists.
 
Joining Sally with eight rebounds was Maureen Taggart, who also chipped in eight points of her own. Kazzidy Stewart fell just short of double-figures, connecting on four of her seven shots for a total of nine points. She boasted a team-high five assists in the setback.
 
All in all, seven Huskies finished with points in the game. Northeastern grabbed 57 rebounds – one short of the all-time record – to just 34 for William & Mary. Cole's team also dominated points in the paint, 36-24, as well as outscoring the Tribe's bench by a 24-22 margin.
 
NU shot 38 percent from the floor, connecting on 26-of-67 shots.
 
The Huskies opened the game strong, despite trailing by one at the sound of the first horn, 24-23. The team finished shooting 38 percent from the floor, connecting on 10 of its 26 attempts, including two-of-six from downtown.  Northeastern won several key battles in the first half, highlighted by a 23-11 advantage in the rebound category. Cole's team also dominated in possession, leading for 16:40.
 
Pacing Northeastern was Mercier and DeFreese. The Pierrefonds, Quebec, finished her fist half with a game-high eight points, going three-for-five from the floor. She was fantastic from deep, making two of her four attempts. DeFreese ended the first half with six points of her own. She provided Northeastern a tremendous inside presence, grabbing four rebounds to add to her stat line.
 
Sally also had a strong opening stanza, grabbing a game-high five rebounds. The Huskies also showed tremendous discipline, not allowing the Tribe to get to the line at all, marking the third time this season they have accomplished that feat.
 
NU is now back on the road for its next game against the Blue Hens of Delaware on Thursday, Feb. 5. That game is slated to begin at 7 p.m. Three days later, on Sunday, Feb. 8, the team returns to Cabot Center to play host to the Towson Tigers. NU and Towson will tip-off at 2 p.m.
 
Game Notes
• The Huskies grabbed 57 rebounds, one short of the all-time record.
• Samantha DeFreese recorded her third double-double of the season.
• The Huskies are now 8-6 all-time against the Tribe.
• Northeastern dominated W&M in the paint, outscoring them by a 36-24 margin.

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