Recap: Towson vs. Northeastern

Towson, MD (Sports Network) - Joel Smith poured in a game-high 21 points, as the Northeastern Huskies knocked off the Towson Tigers, 70-59, in Colonial Athletic Association action from Towson Center Arena.

Quincy Ford chipped in with 10 points for the conference-leading Huskies (9-7, 4-0 CAA).

The Tigers (8-9, 3-1) saw their winning streak halted at four games, despite a 17-point, 11-rebound effort from Jerrelle Benimon and 12 more boards from fellow big man Marcus Damas. Bilal Dixon and Jerome Hairston scored 12 points apiece in the loss.

Towson had the hot hand early on, as the Tigers jumped out to a 25-13 lead on a dunk by Damas with 8:16 to play in the opening frame. However, NU answered with a 13-0 run, capped by Smith's 3-pointer at the 5:11 mark, to take its first lead, 26-25. The Huskies eventually took a 39-33 halftime lead into the locker room on the strength of 7-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc.

The Huskies turned up the defensive pressure in the second stanza, limiting Towson to 35.7 percent shooting from the floor and a 3-of-16 effort from the perimeter over the final 20 minutes. NU stretched its lead to as many as 16 points with six minutes remaining, and Towson never threatened the rest of the way.

The Huskies committed only nine turnovers for the game while forcing 19, as their 26-2 edge in points off turnovers proved to be a key factor in the outcome.