The Husson Eagles men’s and women’s basketball teams stayed unbeaten in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) play with wins on Friday and Saturday both over the UMPI Owls in Presque Isle.
Women’s- Husson 67, UMPI 48 (Fri), Husson 89, UMPI 30 (Sat)
On Friday evening, Husson led from start to finish building a 10 point halftime lead, and then after UMPI got back in the game in the third quarter pulled away for a 67-48 win.
After Husson had taken a 40-26 lead in the third, UMPI made a run to cut it to 40-35. The Eagles scored five of the last six points of the third to up the lead back to nine, and then outscored the Owls 22-12 in the final quarter to get the win. Kenzie Worcester filled up the stat sheet for Husson with 20 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. Vanessa Duarte added 16 off the bench, and Joan Overman also came off the bench to score 10.
Saturday wasn’t as dramatic as Husson had a 34 point halftime lead and extended that in the second half for an 89-30 win. The Eagles shot 57 percent from the floor, compared to just 19 percent for the Owls.
Duarte led five Eagles in double figures with 12 points. Sydney Allen and Emma Alley had 11 points each, while Worcester and Overman had 10 a piece. Husson outscored UMPI 54-14 in the paint, and also 31-7 in points off turnovers. The Eagles go to 7-5 overall and 4-0 in NAC play. The Owls fall to 5-6, 1-3. Husson will host the #1 team in the country Tuesday night when Bowdoin visits Newman Gym at 7 pm.
Men’s- Husson 113, UMPI 68 (Fri), Husson 81, UMPI 68 (Sat)
On Friday, Husson scored 100 points for second time this season by taking a 31 point halftime lead in crushing UMPI 113-68.
The Eagles put six players in double figures led by Justin Martin who had 22 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists. Kyanti Blyden and Bruce St Peter put in 13 points each. DJ Bussey and Brett Cunningham each had 12, while Dylan Angel chipped in 11. Husson shot 53 percent from floor, and knocked down 15-26 from three point range.
On Saturday, UMPI held an early five point advantage, but then fell behind by seven in the first half as the Eagles rallied for an 81-68 win.
The Owls led 5-0 out of the box. Husson was able to overtake the lead for the first time later in the first half with 7:31 left on a Justice Kendall layup. UMPI tied it back with two minutes left in the half, before Husson scored six of the final nine points of the half to lead it 38-35 at the break.
Luke Peterson gave the Owls their final lead at 50-48 with 13:54 left, but the Eagles took over the lead once again and led by as many as 16 down the stretch in nailing down the win. Husson is now 8-5, 4-0 NAC. Kendall, Martin, and Justin Thompson each had 18 points in the victory. UMPI is 6-7, 0-4. Husson will host Maine Maritime next Friday night.
