BOSTON — Northeastern women’s basketball opened their season hosting the University at Albany Great Danes on Monday night. Both programs looked to start the year with a win after finishing below .500 last season. What ensued was an up-tempo, back-and-forth contest that included 11 ties and eight lead changes.
The Huskies were led by preseason All-CAA honorable mention junior guard Camryn Collins, junior forward Justice Tramble, and senior guard Yirsy Quéliz, who combined for 48 of Northeastern’s 61 points. The trio are part of a cohesive group of 10 returning players that showed a strong connection throughout the game. Great ball movement created open three-point looks for Collins and Quéliz, as well as isolated matchups for Tramble down low.
The Great Danes of the University at Albany were led by senior forward and transfer Madison Roman, along with true freshmen Alexia Bujold and Noa López Tallón. Bujold and Tallon both scored 19 points, with Tallón shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from three-point range.
The game opened with both teams applying pressure on both sides of the ball. Albany junior Daria Shishkina and Northeastern’s Collins looked to get downhill and attack the rim. Tramble and junior guard Morgan Matthews each recorded two steals in the first half, contributing to the Huskies’ ten points off turnovers. Great Danes freshman Alexia Bujold kept her team in the game in her collegiate debut, scoring 11 in the first half. Northeastern pulled ahead late to take a 33-31 lead into halftime.
The second half started favorably for the visitors, as the Great Danes went on an 8-1 run in the first three minutes of the third quarter to take a 39-34 lead. A few stretches of turnovers and miscommunication left Northeastern fighting from behind for most of the second half. Quéliz highlighted a 17-point second half with some crucial shots, including a game-tying three-pointer with less than two minutes left in the 4th quarter. Albany answered immediately, with López Tallón hitting a step back contested three to pull ahead 64-61 with 1:27 left on the clock. The Huskies failed to convert on their next couple possessions, eventually falling 65-61.
Despite the result, Northeastern showed plenty of promise winning the rebound margin and making several in-game adjustments that led directly to points.
“I felt the effort was definitely there,” said head coach Priscilla Edwards-Lloyd. “Defensively, we just got to be better. We just gave up too many things in the paint. At the rim, we cleaned it up in spurts, but not consistently enough. We just got to be better defensively.”
She also expressed confidence in the group’s potential and its ability to learn from the season opener.
“If [this team] stays with the effort, [and continues] to grow together, they’re going to be special. I really believe that they want to win,” Edwards-Lloyd said. “They’re a determined bunch, and they’re already talking about how they can be better for Friday.”
The Huskies will look to bounce back and continue their 2026-27 campaign at Boston University on Friday. Daniel Ku and Mohammad Sheikh will have the call on WRBB Sports+ at 6 p.m.
Sam Riggs is a fifth-year student at Northeastern University who’s been with WRBB since 2024. He primarily covers basketball and soccer.