For the second straight game, Northeastern’s offense looked much improved.
The difference between this game and last game? This time, the Huskies had a Power 4 opponent to cope with. While Duquesne (who Northeastern beat last time out) certainly isn’t wishing for talent, Friday’s opponent was a different beast. Wake Forest — whose only two losses on the season have come to national title hopefuls Texas Tech and Michigan, by a combined two points — didn’t overwhelm Northeastern, but a turnover-fueled, 15-3 run midway through the second half gave the Demon Deacons an advantage that they wouldn’t relent.
From the tip, the Huskies looked ready for the challenge. Freshman guard Miles Newton hit a three on Northeastern’s first possession, and made two more moments later. Fellow freshman Xander Alarie assisted on all three jumpers, and after Alarie tapped in a Northeastern miss at the 14:04 mark, it was 16-16.
The score stayed relatively tight for the remainder of the first half. Wake kept threatening to open up a lead, but timely shots kept the Huskies in the mix. With the score at 33-24, an 11-2 Northeastern spurt punctuated by another Newton three brought it back to a one-point game, and they’d keep it at that margin, hitting the break at 45-44.
An Alarie layup gave the Huskies the lead to open the second. But, minutes later, it’d be the Deacons that took control. Northeastern, who’d been so purposeful all night, committed seven turnovers in four minutes, allowing Wake to run in transition. That gave way to the aforementioned 15-3 jaunt, and the Demon Deacs snatched a commanding 70-55 cushion with 11:28 left.
Northeastern steadied, and pulled within nine at various points, but Wake Forest consistently found answers. Demon Deacons junior guard Myles Colvin hit the dagger, knocking down a long three with 2:43 to go up 84-70.
The final was a respectable 86-73, even as the Huskies might’ve rued their missed chances. Without that catastrophic four minute stretch, this one was nearly dead even, and Northeastern stuck with a very talented opponent throughout the majority of the contest.
Northeastern’s top three scorers were all freshmen, with Newton pumping in a career-and-game-high 22. Alarie had 15, Abreu had 12, and Fritz had 10 for an offense that shot 51% from the floor and 56% from three. Alarie led the Huskies in both rebounds and assists, notching six of each.
For Wake Forest, sophomore guard Juke Harris and senior forward Tre’Von Spillers tallied 17 points apiece. Colvin and sophomore guard Sebastian Akins each had double-digits off the bench, which registered 35 points to Northeastern’s 21.
It might not have been the result they wanted, but the Huskies — again, down their best player in LA Pratt — came into the LJVM Coliseum and put up a fight. And, when you consider this same Wake Forest team stomped CAA rival Campbell 99-51 just three days ago, the score starts to feel even more palatable.
Northeastern returns to action on Wednesday at Holy Cross. Tip is set for 6 pm, with Jacob Phillips, Chase Alexander, and Webb Constable on your call on WRBBSports+.