Success and longevity have their rewards.

Northeastern coach Bill Coen reached a significant milestone in the Huskies’ 67-59 victory over Towson on Saturday at Matthews Arena.

Coen is the longest-tenured active coach in the CAA and he equaled the league record for combined regular and post season victories of 183 set by Jim Larranaga at George Mason from 1997 to 2011. Coen owns the CAA post-season record with 19 wins.

Coen has won 277 overall matches while the Huskies have been to the CAA title game a league-best five times, with two conference championships. NU improved to 7-10 overall and 2-2 in the CAA and Coen can own the record with a win at North Carolina A&M on Thursday night.

“I have been very fortunate to have great players here, great people and great student athletes,” said Coen. “We have guys that fit the Northeastern mold, guys that are … outstanding teammates and great students.

“We have guys that want to be a part of this. I have been very fortunate throughout the years to attract those kinds of kids.”

NU shot 58.1% from the floor with 28 rebounds and 10 assists. Luka Sakota, in his second game back from an injury, led NU with 18 points while forward Chris Doherty netted 16. Nendah Tarke led Towson with 17.

Tough defense, forced turnovers and poor shot selection effected both camps in the opening phase of the match as Towson took an early 7-6 lead. The pattern of the game would remain unwaveringly ugly through the midway point of the first half.

NU had a 7-2 surge and took a 13-9 lead on a corner trey by Sakota with 9:00 to play. Eight of Towson’s first 13 points were scored from the free throw line. Doherty scored on a transition dunk to give NU a 22-15 lead into the final media timeout.

NU took a double-digit lead, 28-17, on a baseline drive by Bryce Johnson with 1:38 to play, and that score stood at the break. The Tigers shot 24% from the floor, committed nine turnovers and equaled their season low for points in a half.

“Both teams are very familiar with each other in styles of play and coaching habits and everything else,” said Coen. “You don’t get anything free in that event and both teams settled in and played better in the second half.”

NU was able to maintain its 11-point lead, 35-24, into the first media timeout of the second half. Sakota scored NU’s first seven points with an NBA trey and two pull-ups in the paint. Towson regrouped with an extended run and cut the lead 39-38 on a corner trey by Tarke. Doherty busted the run with a 3-ball from the top of the key and a dunk. NU led 46-40 into the third media timeout.

The Huskies refused to buckle under and took a 57-49 lead with 3:38 to play, prompting Towson coach Pat Skerry to call timeout. NU sank nine free throws in the final minute to ice the game.