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Recap |
Highlights |
Coen/Roland Postgame |
Roland Fastbreak Dunk
BOSTON– Erasing a 14-point first half deficit, with an 18-3 run that spanned halftime, the Northeastern men's basketball team earned a demoralizing 81-67 comeback victory over Eastern Michigan Saturday afternoon in the team's return to Matthews Arena.
The Eagles (4-5) started off the game 13-of-14 from the field and within the first 11 minutes had a 28-16 advantage over the Huskies (4-4). Down 30-16 with 7:07 to go in the half, Northeastern buckled down and rallied off 11-straight points to make it a one possession game behind a fastbreak dunk from
Jordan Roland before the half.
Northeastern's hot streak continued early in the second half and beyond as they continued to build up their lead behind the play of guards Roland and Donnell Gresham, and finishing with the 14-point victory. Northeastern ended the game shooting 56.3 percent from the field, thanks to a 60.9 percent second half.
Roland finished with 24 points, for his third 20-point effort of the year, three steals, a pair of assists and two rebounds. Gresham had his first 20-point outing of the season, finishing with 21 points, while dishing out four assists and pulling down five rebounds.
Also contributing to the Huskies' success was
Tomas Murphy who had a near triple-double with 10 points, seven assists and six rebounds in his return to the starting lineup.
Anthony Green had a near double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds.
The Eagles were led by Elijah Minnie who finished with 24 points, six rebounds and a pair of assists and steals on the day.
FIRST HALF
Eastern Michigan came out hot out of the gate going 6-of-7 from the field in the first five minutes of action to take a 12-4 lead and force
Bill Coen into an early timeout.
The Huskies managed to keep pace with the Eagles for the following 10 minutes, staying within range, before they were finally able to attack, racing out on an 11-0 run, started by a Gresham layup and highlighted by a Roland fastbreak dunk.
The Huskies held Eastern Michigan scoreless for nearly five-and-a-half minutes before the Eagles were able to manage a tip-in before the half as the two teams headed to halftime with the Huskies down just three points, 37-34.
SECOND HALF
Both teams started off hot in the second half, and the Huskies took their first lead of the game, 41-38 via a Gresham three as Northeastern extended its run to 18-3 to gain the advantage.
After the teams exchanged threes, a pair of Green dunks put the Huskies up by five, for their then-largest lead of the game, 51-46.
The Huskies continued to pull away as the half continued, as Roland's hot hand continued to fire from deep, and the Huskies, who ranked fifth in the nation in free throw percentage heading into the game, hit their free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
NEXT UP
The Huskies take their two-game win-steak back on the road on Tuesday night when they will face Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. The game is scheduled to tipoff at 7 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
