Northeastern defeats NC A&T 74-85

Northeastern Edges Out NC A&T in Thrilling 85-74 Win

The Northeastern Huskies (away) emerged victorious over the NC A&T Aggies (home) 85-74, spoiling the homecoming crowd's hopes in a highly competitive conference matchup at Corbett Sports Center.

In a game that saw both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage until the final minutes, Northeastern's balanced attack ultimately proved too much for NC A&T to handle. The Huskies' ability to convert on free throws down the stretch sealed the win, as they connected at a 63.0% rate compared to the Aggies' 72.0%.

The largest lead of the game came courtesy of Northeastern, which built a 11-point margin with just over five minutes remaining. However, NC A&T refused to back down, and the Aggies managed to narrow the deficit to as little as four points before time expired.

For the Huskies, senior Xavier Abreu was the standout performer, scoring 22 points while shooting 53.3% from the field. His supporting cast was equally impressive, with Mike Loughnane posting a triple-double of 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Meanwhile, NC A&T's Trent Middleton Jr. led his team in scoring and rebounding, with 16 points and 10 rebounds respectively. However, the Aggies struggled to contain the Huskies' offense, particularly in the backcourt where Northeastern outshot them 5-2 on steals.

In terms of advanced statistics, both teams performed well within their respective categories. The Huskies shot an effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of 60.7%, while the Aggies held a slight edge in free throw rate with 64.0%. However, Northeastern's higher true shooting percentage (62.6%) ultimately told the story of the contest.

This win marks a significant statement for Northeastern as they continue to navigate the challenging landscape of the conference schedule. With the Huskies' improved performance, it remains to be seen how this momentum will carry them into upcoming matchups.