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BOSTON – Led by its 28-point bench scorer, Stella Clark, and starter Gabby Giacone's 20-point performance, the Northeastern women's basketball team assembled a convincing offensive display during its 2017-18 home opener against Providence on Tuesday night, despite losing the high-scoring affair, 98-95, during overtime.
 
Clark, who was named CAA Rookie of the Week for her 16-point debut on Nov. 10, crafted 28 points during her 41-minute second act, going nine-of-15 from the floor and six-of-10 from downtown. Giacone mirrored Clark's offensive performance, eclipsing the 20-point threshold for the first time during her career while finshing one rebound shy of her sixth career double-double.
 
Five players combined to net Northeastern (0-2) its 95 points - the most NU has scored under Kelly Cole's tenure as head coach. Giacone scored 20 points to lead the Huskies' starters, while Claudia Ortiz contributed 19. Shannon Todd and Jess Genco finished with 15 and 13 points, respectively.
 
Providence (1-1) received 31 points from Jovana Nogic, eight of which came during the overtime period. Ny-Asia Franklin double-doubled with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Maddie Jolin dropped 20 points with help from three 3-point makes.
 
Northeastern outscored Providence during each of the game's first three quarters and led by as much as 20 points with 9:09 remaining in the fourth quarter. Clark prolonged the game into overtime upon sinking a last-second 3-point shot from the right wing, but the Huskies were edged, 13-10, during the bonus period.
 
FIRST QUARTER
 
Claudia Ortiz may have missed her first layup of the evening, but she quickly caught fire, scoring seven of the Huskies' first nine points of the game. Gabby Giacone echoed Ortiz's opening statement, putting Northeastern on top, 11-10, before completing a three-point play at the foul line to widen the Huskies' lead to 14-10 with 5:25 to play. Shortly after, Stella Clark capped Northeastern's 7-0 run with a layup near the midway point of the quarter. Providence snapped its three-minute scoreless drought on Chanell Williams' layup with 4:01 remaining, before both sides agreed to a back-and-forth, up-and-down pace. Shannon Todd buried her first 3-pointer of the night to give Northeastern a 23-19 edge with just under two minutes to go, then knocked down another mid-range jumper to help NU maintain its four-point lead, 25-21.
 
SECOND QUARTER
 
Clara Che leveled the game at 26-26 with a 3-point basket, triggering the Friars' 10-2 spurt that was bookended by another of Che's 3-point makes. Clark answered by stealing Che's hot hand, converting on three straight 3-point jumpers to provide Northeastern with a 37-33 lead with 5:20 remaining in the half. With no signs of cooling off, Clark buried her fourth 3-point basket of the quarter with 2:40 to go, putting the Huskies in the driver's seat during the closing minutes. NU successfully kept Providence off the scoreboard during the final 3:38 of the period and took a 44-37 lead into the break.
 
THIRD QUARTER
 
Northeastern's offensive prowess continued upon retaking the floor at the start of the second half. Clark's layup during the opening minute sparked a 9-0 run for the Huskies that ended with Jess Genco's 3-point basket pushing Northeastern's lead to 53-37. Chanell Williams tallied the Friars' first field goal in eight minutes and 39 seconds of game time, but consistent scoring by the Huskies allowed NU to build a 60-43 lead with 2:42 to play. Northeastern collectively shot 57 percent during the third quarter and outscored Providence, 21-13, to improve its double-digit advantage. Genco led the Huskies with eight points during the quarter, scoring on its final possession to leave Northeastern with a 65-50 lead.
 
FOURTH QUARTER
 
Kyra Spiwak fouled Ortiz on her 3-point attempt during the Huskies' first touch of the quarter, sending the NU senior to the line, where she made all three shots. During Northeastern's next trip down the floor, Clark connected on her fifth 3-pointer of the night, boosting the Huskies to a 20-point lead, 71-51, with 9:09 to play. However, Maddie Jolin helped Providence fight its way back, scoring each of the Friars' next 10 points to shrink the Huskies' advantage to 73-61 with 7:23 to go. Clark's lone free throw make proved to be all NU could gain during the next three-minute stretch, while Providence benefitted from perimeter makes by Jovana Nogic and another by Jolin to close within five points at 74-69. Northeastern regained an eight-point lead at the free throw line, but the Friars continued to rally, knotting the game at 81-81 with 1:35 remaining in regulation. Ortiz gave the Huskies a one-point lead with 1:12 to go, but a final-minute basket by Ny-Asia Franklin and two free throws by Che put NU in an 85-82 hole with 22 seconds left. Luckily, Clark managed to knock down a 3-pointer from the right wing to tie the game at 85-85, sending it into overtime.
 
OVERTIME
 
Todd answered Nogic's pair of free throws to send the Huskies in front, 88-87, during the opening minute, later hitting a clutch, 3-point basket to put NU ahead, 91-89, with 2:27 to go. With the game tied at 93-93, Nogic hit two free throws to give Providence a two-point lead with 29 seconds to play, but Genco hit her jumper to level the game at 95-95 on the next possession. However, Nogic found her way through the paint to put Providence ahead, 97-95, before Genco's inbound pass was intercepted by Franklin, sealing the Friars' win.
 
UP NEXT
 
Northeastern's season-opening home stand will continue on Friday, Nov. 17, when the Huskies welcome Fairfield to Cabot Center for a 7 p.m. tilt. NU will follow that game by hosting Marist on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m.