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BOSTON – The Northeastern Huskies played another excellent game at Cabot Center on Thursday, Feb. 19, but ultimately fell to the Elon Phoenix, 74-73.
 
It was a classic Colonial Athletic Association matchup as both teams battled to the end. On the last possession, however, Elon's Sam Coffer hit a jumper with one second remaining to push the Phoenix past the Huskies.  
 
Neither team would give an inch over the 40 minutes of action, resulting in eight lead changes and ties.
 
With four minutes left, the Huskies (4-20, 1-13) and Phoenix (15-10, 8-6) were all knotted up, 65-65. Seniors Amencie Mercier and A'lece Mark made two 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions, giving Northeastern a four-point lead.
 
The Huskies and Phoenix then traded buckets during the final three minutes, but Elon's final possession resulted in the game-winning shot.
 
Both Francesca Sally and Tanisha Hopewell set new career highs in points with 24 and 12, respectively. Sally, making her first start in two games, played tremendously well inside. She connected on nine of her 15 shots. To add to her solid performance, she chipped in six rebounds and two assists.
 
Hopewell was Northeastern's most successful player on the offensive glass, grabbing two huge o-boards during the course of the game. She finished with six total rebounds. The senior drew multiple fouls, but shined at the charity stripe, making eight of her 10 attempts.
 
Mark and Samantha DeFreese also ended their nights in double-figures. Mark chipped in a solid outing, scoring 14 points on six-of-11 shooting. DeFreese, on the other hand, came on in the second half, scoring six of her 10 points in the closing stanza.
 
It was another fantastic game for the Huskies offensively as four members of the roster scored 10 points or more.
 
As a team, Northeastern shot an excellent 52 percent from the floor, connecting on 24-of-48 shots. The Huskies scored 20 second-chance points to two by the Phoenix. They also out-rebounded their CAA foe by a 29-21 margin.
 
The first half was a strong opening for head coach Kelly Cole and the Huskies. Three different members of the team finished with 10 or more points, led by Mark's 11 points. The senior from Springfield, Massachusetts, wrapped up her first half connecting on five of her nine attempts from the floor, including one-of-one from downtown. She provided the Huskies a terrific spark off the bench.
 
Sally joined Mark at the top of the stat sheet with 10 points of her own. She was a terrific guide for the Huskies in the paint as she connected on four-of-seven shots from the floor. The sophomore added four rebounds and an assist to her stat line. Hopewell also chipped in a big first half, finishing with 10 points. She did most her damage from the charity stripe, where she made six of her eight attempts.
 
As a team, Northeastern shot 50 percent from the floor, hitting on 14 of its 28 shots. The team out-rebounded Elon by a 14-7 margin while committing one fewer turnover, 7-8. Both teams had a strong presence inside and finished with 20 points in the paint.
 
Next up for Northeastern is a showdown on Sunday, Feb. 22 against the Charleston Cougars in Cabot Center. The Huskies will be wearing pink as they participate in the Play 4Kay initiative. All fans in attendance are encouraged to join the Huskies by wearing pink. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.
 
Game Notes
 • Francesca Sally set a new career high in points with 24.
 • Tanisha Hopewell's 12 points are a new career high.
 • The Huskies out-rebounded the Phoenix by a 29-21 margin.
 • Northeastern had four players in double-figures. 

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