By Daryl Velez
While most Northeastern students were enjoying their holiday break, the women’s basketball team went to work.
In games against New Hampshire, SUNY Stony Brook and Boston College, the Huskies combined for 238 points scored and only 213 points allowed.
The span of three games in as many weeks improved the team’s record to 5-5, not having played any games against conference opponents.
Sunday, just before the first day of classes, the Huskies tipped off against their first Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) opponent, Virginia Commonwealth University, at Solomon Court. VCU took with them a 10-1 record coming into the game, the top among CAA teams.
In terms of statistical gaps, the Huskies stood on relatively the same level as VCU before the game. The teams were within two points of each other in categories like points for field-goal percentage, offensive rebounds allowed, blocks and steals. But all was for naught as the Huskies eventually lost the game, 77-65.
The contest was tight during the first half. After the VCU Rams went on an 8-0 run to open the first 20 minutes, the Huskies and senior guard Lucia Pablos (who has averaged 22 points during the last three contests) answered on the ensuing drive.
With the score 10-5 after a wide-open three by NU sophomore forward Kendra Walton, the Huskies began running the floor. Shaleyse Smallwood used quick hands and good instincts to net the following two baskets, and after just 1:35 seconds, the Huskies pulled within one basket of their opposition.
Pablos scored the next two buckets of the game and put the Huskies on top halfway through the first half. Unfortunately for the Huskies, the 15-14 lead was temporary, and was the only NU lead of the contest.
Northeastern went down by as many as 10 points before the end of the half, but would pull within two possessions at 38-32 by halftime.
To open the second half, VCU continued to push its inside game, as six-foot four-inch forward Quanitra Hollingsworth was on her way to 21 points in the VCU win.
Four players for VCU and four for Northeastern finished in double digits as Smallwood, Pablos, junior guard Ashley Feldman and sophomore forward Kim Carr contributed heavily to NU’s eventual 65 points.
“[This was] definitely what we expected. We know how competitive the CAA is and we’re going to have to battle day in and day out,” said head coach Daynia LaForce Mann. “[VCU has] a pretty much unstoppable inside game and they have some pretty decent players on the perimeter that gave us some trouble. That’s how it is. Your game is based on your opponents and unfortunately we played a very, very tough VCU team tonight.”
Northeastern’s next contest is against 9-3 Towson, Thursday at 7 p.m. in Maryland. The Huskies’ next home game is Sunday, Jan. 13 versus Hofstra at Solomon Court. Game time is 2 p.m.
