BOSTON (Interstat) — Northeastern used a dominant defensive performance and a breakout game from forward Ty Francis to pull away from Central Connecticut for a 73-56 victory in a non-conference men’s basketball game Sunday at Matthews Arena.

The Huskies, improving to 4-5, held the Blue Devils to 33.3% shooting from the floor and a frigid 23.5% from three-point range. Northeastern’s defensive pressure was the story, converting 10 Central Connecticut turnovers into 15 points and limiting second-chance opportunities by allowing only seven offensive rebounds.

The most important stretch of the game came late in the first half, when Northeastern turned a narrow lead into a comfortable cushion. Leading 20-18 with just over eight minutes remaining before halftime, the Huskies embarked on a 15-2 run over the next five and a half minutes. The surge was fueled by defensive stops and efficient offense, including a three-pointer from Xavier Abreu and a layup from Luca Soroa Schaller. That run gave Northeastern a 35-20 lead and Central Connecticut never got closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

Francis, a 6-foot-7 sophomore from Brooklyn, New York, was instrumental in building that lead and maintaining it. After playing just 27 total minutes over Northeastern’s last two games, including a scoreless stint at Wake Forest, Francis delivered a complete performance with 10 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in 29 minutes. His defensive presence, including two first-half blocks on Central Connecticut’s Max Frazier, helped set the tone.

Northeastern’s backcourt provided consistent scoring. William Kermoury, a guard from Stockholm, Sweden, led all scorers with 18 points, connecting on four three-pointers. Abreu, a local product from Lynn, Massachusetts, added 15 points and six rebounds off the bench. Point guard Mike Loughnane of Quincy, Massachusetts, chipped in nine points and a game-high four assists.

Central Connecticut, which fell to 5-4, struggled offensively throughout. The Blue Devils managed just 21 points in the first half and finished with an offensive rating of 77.7 points per 100 possessions. Darin Smith and Jay Rodgers each scored 12 points to lead the visitors, with Rodgers dishing out seven assists. Frazier, a 6-foot-9 forward, contributed nine points, five rebounds and two blocks but was hampered by foul trouble.

Northeastern shot 46.4% from the field and was efficient from the line, making 12 of 14 free throws. The Huskies also won the battle on the glass, outrebounding Central Connecticut 42-38.

The game drew an announced crowd of 653 to historic Matthews Arena. Northeastern entered as a 3.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, and the total score of 129 fell well under the pregame over/under line of 139.5.

The victory gives Northeastern momentum heading into a break for final exams before a challenging road game at Syracuse on Dec. 20. Central Connecticut looks to rebound when it visits Binghamton on Dec. 13.