The Northeastern men’s basketball team secured their first win of the season, defeating the Colgate University Raiders 68-65 on November 7. The Huskies trailed by eight points at halftime but mounted a comeback in the second half, fueled by improved shooting and free throw performance. The team’s field goal percentage increased from 32.3% in the first half to 46.4% in the second, while their free throw shooting improved to 76.5%.
Senior forward Youri Fritz led the team with a career-high 21 points, surpassing his previous record of 15 points set in the game against Boston University. Redshirt freshman forward Xander Alarie recorded his first college double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds, the most rebounds of any player in the game. Senior guard LA Pratt and freshman guard Miles Newton also scored in double figures, with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
The Huskies’ win brought their record to 1-1, and they will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming games. They will face Harvard University on November 11 at Lavietes Pavilion, followed by a home game against the Vermont Catamounts on November 15 at the historic Matthews Arena. The latter game will be the team’s final match in the arena.
The game against Colgate was a closely contested affair, with both teams evenly matched in terms of attempts. However, the Huskies’ inability to capitalize on their attacking ability in the first half allowed the Raiders to take an eight-point lead into the break. The Huskies’ second-half resurgence was pivotal in securing the win, and they will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming games.
The team’s performance was marked by notable individual efforts, including Fritz’s career-high scoring and Alarie’s double-double. The Huskies’ ability to improve their shooting and free throw performance in the second half was also crucial in securing the win. As they move forward, the team will look to build on these strengths and address areas for improvement in order to achieve success in their upcoming games.