TOWSON, Md. -- Joel Smith scored 21 points and Northeastern took control with a late first-half run to defeat Towson 70-59 Saturday.

The Huskies (9-7, 4-0 Colonial Athletic Association) trailed 25-13 with 8:16 left in the first half but outscored the Tigers (8-9, 3-1) 26-8 the rest of the way until intermission. Smith scored nine points and Quincy Ford eight during the run.

Towson got to within three, 43-40, early in the second half on Marcus Damas' 3-pointer, but three consecutive layups by Dinko Marshavelski, who had just re-entered the game, boosted Northeastern's lead to 49-40 with 13:05 left.

Northeastern is off to its best conference start since winning its first six CAA games in the 2008-09 season. The victory gave coach Bill Coen a 100-106 record with the Huskies.

Jerrelle Benimon led Towson with 17 points and 11 rebounds, Bilal Dixon and Jerome Hairston scored 12 each and Damas had 12 rebounds.