BOSTON - Chris Fouch scored a game-high 27 points as Drexel defeated Northeastern 63-58 in the first game of the Boston Tip-Off Classic at TD Garden on Saturday evening.
"Today, we missed a couple of assignments," said Northeastern head coach Bill Coen. "You have to tip your hat to Drexel. They were a tough opponent."
The loss was Northeastern's fourth of the season and their third in a row. Chaisson Allen led the Huskies with 19 points. Ryan Pierson scored nine points and both Joel Smith and Jonathan Lee added eight points in the loss.
Gerald Colds finished with 14 points and both Samme Givens and Daryl McCoy added six points for the Dragons.
Northeastern (2-4) jumped out to an 8-4 lead after five minutes, but Drexel (5-1) went on a 17-6 run to grab a 20-14 lead with10:54 left in the first half. The Dragons never led by more than seven in the final 10 minutes of the opening half, and the Huskies crawled back into the game, cutting the Drexel lead to 33-31 at halftime.
Fouch scored 12 points in the first half for Drexel. Gerald Colds added seven points and both Frantz Massenat scored four points in the half for the Dragons.
Allen and Smith each had eight points to lead Northeastern in the first half. Pierson added seven points in the first half for the Huskies.
Northeastern made 13-of-28 shots and 1-of-5 threes and Drexel connected on 14-of-32 field goals and 3-of-6 three pointers in the first half.
The Huskies tied the game at 33 early in the second half, but the Dragons distanced themselves, taking a 45-41 lead with 14:35 to play in the second half. By the nine minute mark, Northeastern had trimmed the deficit to one point at 52-51.
But once again, the Dragons were able to create some breathing room, taking a 57-51 lead with 7:59 to go. The Huskies pulled within three, 59-56, with less than two minutes to go, but they would not get any closer.
McCoy grabbed his own miss and put it back for two, giving Drexel a 61-56 advantage with 27.3 seconds remaining. Allen knocked down a jumper for Northeastern to bring the Huskies back withing three at 61-58.
After a timeout, Northeastern fouled Fouch, who made both free throws to seal the Drexel victory.
Northeastern made 22-of-56 shots and 2-of-13 three pointers while the Dragons hit 24-of-61 field goals and 6-of-12shots beyond the arc.
The Huskies amassed 38 rebounds, nine assists, six steals and had 10 turnovers. The Dragons had 38 rebounds, 10 assists, four steals and nine turnovers in the win.
Northeastern will look to halt its losing streak when it hosts the University of Rhode Island at Matthew's Arena on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. EST.