BOSTON -- Ethan O'Day scored 17 points and Candon Rusin added 15 as Vermont defeated Northeastern 66-55 on Saturday night.

The Catamounts (2-1), coming off a 67-49 loss at No. 23 Connecticut, broke open a 20-20 game with an 11-2 run in the last 5:56 of the first half.

The Huskies (2-1), whose two wins this season against Boston University and Princeton came on buzzer beaters, closed the gap to three, at 43-40 with 11:05 remaining, but could get no closer.

Clancy Rugg and Trey Blue added 10 points apiece off the bench for Vermont.

Northeastern's Joel Smith, who hit the game-winning basket to beat the Catamounts 53-51 last season, poured in 25 points. He was 9-of-17 from the field and made 5 of 7 from long range.

The Catamounts held Quincy Ford, who came in leading the Huskies in scoring at 19 points per game, to seven points on 3-of-10 shooting.