Pusica scores 31, Occeus 21 in Northeastern's 81-70 triumph
HARRISONBURG, Va. -- Vasa Pusica scored 31 points and Shawn Occeus 21, both career highs, and Northeastern defeated James Madison 81-70 on Saturday in a Colonial Athletic Association opener.
Leading by four early in the second half, the Huskies outscored the Dukes 19-9, including six straight points from Jeremy Miller and five consecutive by Bolden Brace to go up 72-58 with six minutes left. The Dukes got within six, 76-70, with two minutes left but missed their final four shots.
Pusica, a junior transfer from San Diego who sat out last season, and Occeus scored 12 points each to open the game then Pusica scored Northeastern's final 12 of the half for a 44-36 advantage.
Devon Begley added 10 points for the Huskies (8-5), who shot 49 percent and have won six of their last seven games.
Stuckey Mosley scored 18 points, Dwight Wilson 13 and Joey McLean 12 for the Dukes (4-10).
Game Information
- Referees:
- Haywood Bostic
- Tim Ebersole
- Tony Crisp
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 |
2023-24 Sun Belt Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian State | 16-2 | - | 27-7 |
| James Madison | 15-3 | 1 | 32-4 |
| Troy | 13-5 | 3 | 20-12 |
| Arkansas State | 11-7 | 5 | 20-17 |
| Louisiana | 10-8 | 6 | 19-14 |
| Southern Miss | 9-9 | 7 | 16-16 |
| South Alabama | 8-10 | 8 | 16-16 |
| Georgia State | 8-10 | 8 | 14-17 |
| Georgia Southern | 8-10 | 8 | 9-24 |
| Texas State | 7-11 | 9 | 17-18 |
| Marshall | 7-11 | 9 | 13-20 |
| UL Monroe | 6-12 | 10 | 11-19 |
| Coastal Carolina | 5-13 | 11 | 9-22 |
| Old Dominion | 3-15 | 13 | 7-25 |
Men's College Basketball News
