By Andrew Parente

Sophomore guard Chaisson Allen scored a team-high 17 points to help lead the men’s basketball team to a 60-55 win over James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va. Saturday.

The game was the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) opener for both squads as the Huskies improved to 4-4 (1-0 CAA). The Dukes fall to 4-4 (0-1 CAA).

“Anytime you can get a win in conference play, especially on the road, you have to be very pleased,” said head coach Bill Coen. “I thought JMU did a great job feeding off the energy of the crowd and turning us over and we were lucky to get out of here with a win today.”

NU held an 18-point lead with just over 14 minutes to play, but JMU used a tough full-court press and clutch shooting to get back into the game. The Dukes went on a 13-0 run over the next three minutes to pull within five.

“We just rushed, mishandled the ball and didn’t get good spacing,” Coen said. “You have to credit JMU though. They were able to get us in some traps and some bad spots on the floor and they capitalized on it.”

A three from forward Kyle Swanston gave JMU a 47-46 lead with five minutes to go, but Allen quickly rushed down the floor and converted on a lay-up and a free throw to give NU a 49-47 lead.

With 3:18 to go, junior guard Matt Janning went to the line for two free throws, converting on the first but missing the second. However, junior forward Manny Adako was there for the biggest of his five rebounds and put back the shot to give NU a 54-49 lead.

The Huskies’ defense finished the game, forcing the Dukes to miss three consecutive three-point shots in the final minute to bring the contest to a close.

“This is a really big win for us as a team, coming off of a three-game losing streak,” Allen said. “So as a team we were able to come out with good energy, and its conference play, the start of a new season.”

NU’s defense was strong in the first half, as it held JMU to just 16 points. The Dukes shot just 31.6 percent from the floor and turned the ball over nine times.

The Huskies shot 44.4 percent from the floor in the first half, and led 29-16 at the end of 20 minutes. Allen and Janning combined for 17 points in the frame.

“We were very alert early on and we had good defensive communication,” Coen said. “We consciously contested shots. I thought we did a good job of that, and we also limited their offensive rebounds. Contested shots with one and done is usually a pretty good formula.”

Leading 19-16 with under four minutes to go, the Huskies went on a 10-0 run to close out the half.

Allen converted a jumper in the lane, and Janning, along with senior forward Matt Smith, who logged a season-high 31 minutes, drained two big threes. Allen then stole the ball on defense and made a lay-up off a fast-break for the final two points of the half.

For the game, Allen was joined in double-digits by Janning and Adako, who finished with 14 and 11 points, respectively.

Allen also dished out three assists and only committed one turnover in 35 minutes.

“I thought Chase really was our best player today,” Coen said. “He got our offense going, getting the ball to the right people, and he was able to make some big plays himself.”

Northeastern returns to action Wednesday when it takes on Harvard at Lavietes Pavilion at 7 p.m.

The Huskies defeated the Crimson, 76-73, last season at Matthews Arena, behind a then career-high 19 points from Adako. Harvard leads the all-time series 35-13.

NU returns home after the holiday break when it hosts William ‘ Mary on Saturday Jan. 3 at 1 p.m.