AMHERST, Mass. – Trailing by as many as 15 points in the first half, the Northeastern men's basketball team (8-4) fought all the way to level the game at 70 with less than two minutes to play, but could not overcome Massachusetts (5-7) on Wednesday night at the Mullins Center, 77-72.
 
Rashad King had 19 points and a career-high 11 rebounds to lead four Huskies in double figures. He was joined by Masai Troutman (18 points), LA Pratt (18 points, eight rebounds, four assists) and Harold Woods (10 points, five assists) for a Northeastern team that shot 37% overall (27-of-74) and 5-of-22 from three point range. NU outrebounded UMass 50-38, the Huskies' most rebounds in more than two years.
 
Massachusetts, meanwhile, put five players in double figures led by Jaylen Curry's 24 as the Minutemen finished the night 26-of-63 overall and 6-of-18 from deep.
 
It took Northeastern a bit to settle in during the opening half, shooting 34% overall and trailing by as many as 15 before recovering late to go into the break down 35-30.
 
Troutman led the way with 11 points in the first to lead the Huskies on an 11-1 run over the final 3:32. King added eight points and four rebounds. UMass, meanwhile, shot 37% from the field after opening the game on a 10-2 run.
 
The Huskies continued to hang around as the teams traded baskets throughout the second half until a layup from Malek Abdelgowad gave the hosts a 10 point lead with 7:27 left, 66-56.
 
That's when Northeastern went to work, going on a 12-1 run highlighted by triples from Pratt and King and capped by a layup from Woods to tie the game at 70 with 1:51 to go.
 
A quick answer from Curry from long range, though, put Massachusetts up for good with 1:31 left.
 
The Huskies will be back in action on Sunday, Dec. 29 when Northeastern travels to Northwestern. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m (ET) on Peacock.