Northeastern 53, Delaware 49

1/30/2008 8:40 PM

NEWARK, Del. (AP) -Four players scored in double figures and Northeastern made all eight of its free throws down the stretch as the Huskies downed Delaware, 53-49, in Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball on Wednesday night.

Northeastern (8-12, 4-6 CAA) has now won its last seven meetings with Delaware (9-11, 6-4), including a 73-69 overtime victory on Jan. 19 in Boston.

A three-pointer by Baptiste Bataille with 5:40 remaining in the contest put the Huskies ahead for good at 45-44.

The Huskies' final eight points came on free throws in the final 2:30. Nkem Ojougboh sank six of those foul shots. Matt Janning then hit two free throws with 1.3 seconds on the clock to seal the victory.

Janning (13 points), Chaisson Allen (11), Ojougboh (10) and Manny Adako (10) all reached double figures for Northeastern.

Delaware went almost six minutes without scoring before Herb Courtney hit a three-pointer with 4.1 seconds remaining. The Hens shot only 33.9 percent (19-of-56) as Courtney (16 points) was the only Delaware player to score more than six points.

Delaware didn't take its first lead of the night until Mark Egerson hit a pair of free throws to put the Hens in front, 38-37, with 12:26 left in regulation. That advantage grew to 40-37 as Delaware outscored Northeastern, 12-2, in a five-minute stretch.

But the Hens sank only three of its final 19 field goal attempts as they were held under 54 points for the third time in their last six games.

Northeastern led for the entire first half after scoring the game's first six points. Allen's jumper with 2:24 remaining capped off a 10-2 run and gave the Huskies their biggest lead of the half at 28-18.

Allen had 11 points and five rebounds by halftime as Northeastern held a 31-23 lead. Delaware shot just 36 percent (9-of-25) in the first half.