Northeastern’s CAA road record has once again been dented after Delaware picked up a hard-fought victory against the Huskies, 77-63 on Friday night. This marks the third loss in NU’s last four CAA matchups.

“It was transition points and it was rebounds,” head coach Kelly Cole said were the focal points of Friday’s game.

Both squads set a furious pace to open up the game, with transition baskets coming left, right and center. Northeastern (15-8, 5-7 CAA) snatched an early lead.

With both teams making their shots in the opening quarter, there was little separation, but due to Delaware’s efficiency in the last three minutes of the quarter, the Blue Hens (11-12, 6-5 CAA) took the lead 19-14 at the end of the first.

Poor shooting seemed to be the abnormality of the opening half for the Huskies, who so far this season have been shooting at 41.6 percent from the field. Northeastern’s first half Friday night against Delaware was one of its worst halves this season, going 32.1 percent from the field, alongside 20 percent from the 3-point line.

The Huskies were not to be counted out heading into the second half, though. Delaware struggled to pull away from the Huskies due to poor free-throw shooting. The Blue Hens were 7-12 from the line with only a seven-point lead at the half.

Another theme throughout the game was Northeastern’s inability to control the boards. By the end of the game the Blue Hens demolished the Huskies 52-36 on the glass, including 21 offensive boards.

“I know we know how do it [rebounding], and I know we’re certainly capable of doing it,” said Coach Cole after the game. “We just didn’t have our minds locked on to it tonight.”

A major talking point for the Huskies all week had been rebounds but Northeastern was unable to capitalize throughout the matchup.

Northeastern couldn’t raise its shooting efficiency in a comeback bid on the road, finishing the game at 34.5 percent. This allowed Delaware to finish the game with a strong last quarter, outscoring the Huskies 30-20 and capping off a 14-point victory against an outfit that was fresh off a win against Towson last week.

Delaware’s player of the game was Samone Defreese; the junior scored 31 points along with nine rebounds, just short of a double-double.

For the Huskies, Shannon Todd was the leading scorer. The junior guard finished the night with 15 points along with three 3-pointers and four rebounds. Other double-digit scorers for Northeastern included sophomore guard Stella Clark (14) and senior guard Jess Genco (11).

The Huskies head to Drexel Sunday afternoon at the as they seek a retaliation win against the Dragons after Drexel nailed a game-winner against Northeastern at the buzzer last time out in Boston.