ANCHORAGE – Northeastern forward Quincy Ford had 14 points and five rebounds Wednesday to lead his team to a 61-52 men's basketball win over UC Riverside in the opening game of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout at Sullivan Arena.

The Huskies (3-1) also got 11 points and four assists from guard Joel Smith as they won in their first Shootout appearance since 1986.

The Highlanders (1-4) were led by 14 points and a game-high six rebounds from forward Josh Fox in their Shootout debut.

Northeastern, from the Colonial Athletic Association, jumped to the early lead and led 38-20 at halftime. UCR, from the Big West Conference, cut its disadvantage to five points with one minute left, but could get no closer.

Northeastern advances to the semifinals to play the winner of Belmont and host Alaska Anchorage at 7 p.m. AST Friday. That game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.

UCR will play the loser of Belmont-UAA at 1 p.m. Friday.