Pusica, Northeastern top Alabama 68-52
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Northeastern forward Jeremy Miller loves playing Power Five opponents. He and his teammates made sure the Huskies got a chance to play another by routing Alabama at the Charleston Classic.
Vasa Pusica had 20 points while Miller and Bolden Brace had 11 points each as the Huskies (2-1) advanced to the tournament semifinals with a 68-52 victory over the Crimson Tide on Thursday.
The win was the program's first over a Southeastern Conference school and set up a game Friday with No. 16 Virginia Tech of the Atlantic Coast Conference with a spot in the eight-team tournament finals on the line.
Miller says the Huskies can't wait -- and the higher the stakes the better.
"Everyone's hype, everyone's really into it" against Power Five opposition, he said. "I think it brings out a different side to us."
Miller, a senior, was part of the team that stunned Michigan State 83-71 in December 2016. He's ready to go up against the Hokies (2-0), who advanced with a 73-64 win over Ball State.
"We have something to prove this year," Miller said.
Pusica went 4 of 4 on 3-pointers and had team highs with five assists and three steals.
No. 23 Purdue takes on Appalachian State while Wichita State and Davidson finish out the opening round.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 21 points for a second straight game to lead Virginia Tech.
Alexander-Walker said the Hokies took steps forward on offense and defense from their first game, an 87-59 win over Gardner-Webb last Friday.
Their preparation was better, their defense was sharper and they showed more intensity going after rebounds, Alexander-Walker said.
"Locking in on the things that aren't seen to win," he said.
Kerry Blackshear Jr. had 18 points and a team-best seven rebounds while Justin Robinson scored 15 points for Virginia Tech.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Mark Schnur
- John Hampton
- Ray Natili
2023-24 Southeastern Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Tennessee | 14-4 | - | 27-9 |
Auburn | 13-5 | 1 | 27-8 |
South Carolina | 13-5 | 1 | 26-8 |
Kentucky | 13-5 | 1 | 23-10 |
Alabama | 13-5 | 1 | 25-12 |
Florida | 11-7 | 3 | 24-12 |
Texas A&M | 9-9 | 5 | 21-15 |
LSU | 9-9 | 5 | 17-16 |
Mississippi State | 8-10 | 6 | 21-14 |
Ole Miss | 7-11 | 7 | 20-12 |
Georgia | 6-12 | 8 | 20-17 |
Arkansas | 6-12 | 8 | 16-17 |
Vanderbilt | 4-14 | 10 | 9-23 |
Missouri | 0-18 | 14 | 8-24 |
2023-24 Coastal Athletic Association Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Charleston | 15-3 | - | 27-8 |
Drexel | 13-5 | 2 | 20-12 |
UNC Wilmington | 12-6 | 3 | 21-10 |
Hofstra | 12-6 | 3 | 20-13 |
Towson | 11-7 | 4 | 20-14 |
Delaware | 10-8 | 5 | 19-14 |
Stony Brook | 10-8 | 5 | 20-15 |
Monmouth | 10-8 | 5 | 18-15 |
Campbell | 8-10 | 7 | 14-18 |
Northeastern | 7-11 | 8 | 12-20 |
Elon | 6-12 | 9 | 13-19 |
North Carolina A&T | 5-13 | 10 | 7-25 |
William & Mary | 4-14 | 11 | 10-23 |
Hampton | 3-15 | 12 | 9-24 |