HAMILTON, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a hard-fought contest that defied pregame expectations, the Northeastern Huskies edged the Colgate Raiders 68 to 65 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday night at a sparsely populated Cotterell Court.

An announced crowd of 766 watched as the Huskies, who entered the game as underdogs, used a dominant second-half defensive performance to overcome a halftime deficit and secure their first victory of the young season. The win moves Northeastern to an even one win and one loss record, while Colgate’s search for its first victory continues as they fell to zero wins and two losses.

The game was a tale of two halves, with the Raiders controlling the opening period. Colgate built a 35 to 27 lead by the break, capitalizing on their home court and looking to validate their status as the pregame favorite. Interstat’s ELO system had given the Raiders a 56.90 percent probability of winning, and they had been installed as a three-point favorite by oddsmakers.

However, the script flipped decisively after halftime. The Huskies emerged from the locker room with renewed vigor, outscoring Colgate 41 to 30 in the second half. Their defensive intensity ratcheted up, stifling the Raider offense and creating opportunities in transition. The collective effort culminated in a final score of 133 total points, a figure that fell well short of the pregame over/under line of 147.5, underscoring the defensive grind that characterized the final twenty minutes.

Northeastern’s comeback was fueled by a pair of standout performances from their frontcourt. Youri Fritz, a 6-foot-8 forward from Tiel, Netherlands, led all scorers with 21 points. Fritz was efficient and impactful throughout the night, adding four rebounds and an assist while playing a team-high 36 minutes. His scoring provided a consistent offensive threat that Colgate struggled to contain, especially during the Huskies’ second-half surge.

Equally crucial was the double-double recorded by Xander Alarie. The 6-foot-8, 233-pound Bethesda, Maryland, native was a force on the glass, pulling down 13 rebounds to go with his 13 points. Alarie’s work in the paint, which also included two assists and a block over 31 minutes, gave Northeastern critical second-chance opportunities and helped limit Colgate’s offensive rebounds, a key factor in the narrow victory.

The Huskies also received significant contributions from their backcourt. LA Pratt, a 6-foot-5 guard from Columbus, Ohio, logged a game-high 40 minutes and served as the primary facilitator, dishing out five assists while chipping in 13 points. Miles Newton, from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, provided a valuable scoring punch off the bench or in a supporting role, finishing with 10 points in 29 minutes of action.

For the reeling Raiders, the loss was a frustrating case of a strong start unraveling. Sam Wright, a 6-foot-8 forward from Hoover, Alabama, paced the team with 16 points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes. His inside presence was a key reason for Colgate’s first-half success. He was joined in the scoring column by Kyle Carlesimo, a 6-foot-2 guard from Seattle, Washington, who also tallied 16 points and added four rebounds.

Other Raiders made notable, if less prolific, contributions. Jalen Cox of Los Angeles scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds in just 11 minutes of play. Eyilayomi Odetoyinbo, a 6-foot-10 hometown product from nearby Canton, New York, made his presence felt defensively with seven rebounds and two blocks. Josh Ahayere of Morinville, Canada, provided steady all-around play with five points, four rebounds, and two assists.

The context of the season’s early going framed the importance of this result for both teams. Northeastern entered the game looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking, season-opening 76 to 75 overtime loss to cross-town foe Boston University just four days prior. Securing a road win against a team projected to be superior provided a significant morale boost.

For Colgate, the loss extends a difficult opening stretch. They began their campaign on the road against a powerhouse Michigan State program, falling 80 to 69. Dropping a second consecutive game, and this one at home where they were favored, puts early pressure on the Raiders to right the ship quickly.

The schedule offers little respite for either team as they move forward. Northeastern will look to build momentum in a quick turnaround, traveling to face Harvard on Tuesday, November 11. They will then host Vermont on November 15 before embarking on a challenging stretch that includes road games at Princeton, Wake Forest, and Syracuse.

Colgate, meanwhile, must regroup before hosting Drexel on Tuesday, November 11. Following that contest, the Raiders face a daunting trip to face Illinois on November 14, part of a run that includes four of their next five games away from Cotterell Court. The team will be desperate to find a winning formula and avoid digging a deeper hole in the season’s opening weeks.

Friday night’s contest ultimately served as a testament to Northeastern’s resilience. After a disappointing start to their season and a sluggish first half on the road, the Huskies demonstrated the defensive fortitude and balanced scoring necessary to claw out a victory against the odds. For Colgate, it was a second straight lesson in closing out games, a skill they will need to develop rapidly as the season progresses.