BOSTON – With its non-conference schedule in the rear view mirror, the Northeastern women's basketball team will turn its attention towards climbing the CAA ladder on Friday, Jan. 4, when NU opens conference action against the two-time defending league champion, Elon. Friday's game between the Huskies and the Phoenix will air live on NESNplus with coverage beginning at 7 p.m.
PROMOTIONS
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N.U.in Night:Â The Northeastern women's basketball team is inviting all N.U.in students to Cabot Center to take in Friday's game during a post-orientation occasion.
BEWARE OF NO. 13 ON FRIDAY
• Northeastern begins CAA play ranked No. 13 in collegeinsider.com's Women's Mid-Major Top 25 poll, as last revealed on Jan. 2. The Huskies have been ranked in the poll during seven consecutive weeks, beginning on Nov. 20:
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| Women's Mid-Major Top 25 Polls |
Preseason |
Nov. 13 |
Nov. 20 |
Nov. 27 |
Dec. 4 |
Dec. 11 |
Dec. 18 |
Dec. 26 |
Jan. 2 |
| Northeastern ranking |
-- |
RV |
No. 25 |
No. 18 |
No. 13 |
No. 13 |
No. 10 |
No. 13 |
No. 13 |
• NU has posted a 1-1 record against top 15 mid-major opponents this season. The Huskies – who were ranked No. 10 on Dec. 18 – experienced their first defeat of the 2018-19 campaign at No. 14 Marist (Dec. 18) before bouncing back to topple No. 15 Maine at Cabot Center (Dec. 22).
• At No. 13, Northeastern was the second highest CAA program to appear in the Jan. 2 poll, trailing No. 9 Drexel. With three ranked teams, the CAA was tied as the conference with the second most poll representation (Ivy League, West Coast), trailing the MAC and its four such programs.
• Northeastern's No. 25 ranking on Nov. 20 marked the program's first-ever poll placement under the leadership of fifth-year head coach
Kelly Cole. NU last received votes in the Women's Mid-Major Top 25 poll on Nov. 26, 2013, despite being unranked.
ALL-TIME SERIES
• Northeastern is seeking its first series victory against Elon during its fifth try since Feb. 14, 2016. NU trails the all-time series, 7-1.
• Of the eight all-time meetings between the Huskies and the Phoenix, five have been decided by single digits, including three that have resulted in one-possession affairs.
• NU has yet to defeat Elon at Cabot Center (winless during four opportunities). Northeastern's lone series win occurred at Alumni Gym amidst their six-game winning streak during Feb. 2016.
• The Huskies and the Phoenix have exclusively met during CAA regular season play and under the respective head coaching tenures of
Kelly Cole and Charlotte Smith.
BREAK IN THE ACTION
• Northeastern's CAA opener against Elon marks the Huskies' first game in 13 days – the program's longest layoff since its 14-day break between Nov. 29, 2014, and Dec. 13, 2014.
LAST TIME OUT
• The Huskies closed out their non-conference schedule on Dec. 22 by motoring past Maine (then-ranked No. 15 in the Women's Mid-Major Top 25 poll), 63-55, at Cabot Center.
• NU limited the Black Bears to four 3-point field goals during the contest. Maine had entered the day ranked 25th among Division I programs in 3-point field goals per game (9.1).
• The Huskies closed the first half on the 13-0 scoring run, denying the Black Bears points during the final 5:33 of the second quarter.
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Ayanna Dublin notched the second double-double of her season and her career, posting 11 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and a steal.
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Stella Clark shot six-for-10 from the field to lead Northeastern in scoring with 15 bench points in addition to hauling in eight rebounds.
• NU sported its second highest rebounding margin of the 2018-19 season (+18). The Huskies improved to 8-1 when outrebounding their opponent.
2018-19 RECORD PERFORMANCES
• Northeastern's nine-game winning streak to begin the 2018-19 season is tied for the program's longest winning streak with that of its 1998-99 team.
• The Huskies' nine consecutive season-opening wins broke the program's previous record – seven – set by their 1968-69 team.
• Northeastern's 10 regular season wins before the turn of the calendar year equate to the program record.  Â
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Jess Genco has become the first Northeastern women's basketball player to ever hit eight or more 3-pointers during a single game. Genco first broke the Huskies' single-game record on Nov. 28 at Florida (eight 3-pointers) and reset her program-best mark on Dec. 15 at Providence (nine).
• Genco enters Friday's game against Elon tied with Melissa Kowalski for the program record in career 3-point field goals (245).
UP NEXT
• Northeastern will remain at Cabot Center on Sunday, Jan. 6, when the Huskies host William & Mary at 2 p.m.
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