Quarterfinal #3: Northeastern Needs Two OTs To Defeat Hofstra, 74-71

Northeastern should have expected a game like this, considering they fell to Hofstra by a 73-62 score at home on February 23, but the Huskies survived another challenge from the Pride to advance to Sunday’s semifinal round at the CAA Tournament. After 10 extra minutes, but Northeastern prevailed, 74-71.

In terms of energy level, the game and the building were mirror images for much of the night. Early on the building was quiet and both teams were sluggish and not shooting well from the field. (The Huskies shot 33.3 percent in the first half and the Pride made only 29.6 percent of their attempts in that time.) But both turned it on as the crowd started to file in for the second all-Virginia quarterfinal of the day, pitting William & Mary against James Madison.

By the time overtime began, both teams heated up, with each shooting in the neighborhood of 57 to 58 percent from the floor. But the attrition of personal fouls caught up to Hofstra, as their three of their biggest shooting threats, Charles Jenkins, Chaz Williams and Cornelius Vines, all fouled out.

Vines hit a three with 14 seconds left in the first overtime to force the second. He finished with 11 on the night, as did Greg Washington, who had a potential tying three of his own blocked with 28 seconds left in the second overtime.

The two teams’ stars didn’t disappoint, particularly in the second. Jenkins had 24 for the Pride, which could have been more had he not fouled out. Northeastern’s Matt Janning led all scorers with 26, including the trey that broke a 67-all tie with 45 seconds left in overtime number two. After Manny Adako blocked Washington’s attempt to answer at the other end of the court, it was pretty much over.

The Huskies move on to Sunday’s semifinals where they will face the William & Mary-James Madison winner.