By Justin Clear-Vekinis, News Correspondent
The women’s basketball team put up its second-highest point total this season Thursday, handing the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) last place Georgia State Panthers a 76-51 loss.
The Huskies, who lost to the Panthers 75-62 in Atlanta just two weeks ago, beat them in Thursday’s matchup by 25 points. Georgia State fell to 1-13 in the CAA, while Northeastern gained a conference win, moving to 3-11.
“Mentally, we were in a different state,” head coach Daynia LaForce-Mann said. “I think competing in the last two games gave us a lot of confidence, and that confidence is what really helped us win this game.”
The Panthers scored the game’s first points, but the Huskies took a quick six-point lead in the first six minutes. The Panthers couldn’t get closer than two points and for the majority of the game.
Northeastern went into the half with a 43-29 lead and a much-needed victory in sight.
“They made a run, but we were able to contain it,” senior guard Jamie Conroy said. “We were able to play our type of basketball.”
The win was the Huskies’ largest point spread since playing Georgia State in Atlanta last season, where they walked away with a 72-48 win Jan. 20, 2011.
Northeastern was lead by three scorers in double digits: junior forward Christine Huber and junior guard Deanna Kerkhof lead all scorers with 19 points apiece.
“We don’t have one star on this team,” LaForce-Mann said. “Any player can step up at any time.”
The Huskies shot 42 percent from the field, as well as 42 percent from beyond the arc, a stark comparison to the Panthers’ 33 percent overall and 22 percent three-point shooting.
Northeastern forced 20 turnovers, leading to 22 points. In addition, the Huskies’ 13 offensive rebounds counted for 10 second chance points.
“Our offense is very special offense,” LaForce-Mann said. “We share the ball and everyone had a lot of confidence.”
Conroy accounted for five of the team’s 17 assists, in addition to her six points and six rebounds.
“They’re very eager to try to steal the ball so we ball faked,” Conroy said. “Something would open up and people would jump into the lane to get points.”
Late in the second half the Huskies turned the ball over which led to the Panthers cutting the deficit to seven points.
The Huskies regrouped and dropped three consecutive three-pointers, two of which were from freshman guard A’lece Mark, and a lay-up by Tunstull to push the lead up to 18.
In the final three minutes of the game, Northeastern rolled out a line-up featuring all four freshmen and starting sophomore forward Jewel Tunstull. The bench accounted for 16 points in the game, while Tunstull added eight points and four rebounds.
The game finished on a shot by a Panther that summed up their game in Solomon Court an air ball.
The win moved the Huskies to a 3-11 record in the CAA and a 5-20 record on the season.CUT
The Huskies tip off against CAA opponent No. 2 James Madison University (11-3, 20-5 overall) at 2 p.m. this Sunday on Solomon Court.
“We’re just going to keep playing hard and staying positive,” Conroy said. “Hopefully we can maintain it and keep some momentum going.”
