The Husson Eagles men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted key North Atlantic Conference games Saturday with the UMaine-Farmington Beavers at Newman Gym in Bangor. The men’s contest featured the top two teams in the conference and a battle for first, while the Husson women look to keep a stranglehold on first place by staying undefeated in NAC play.
In the men’s game, Riley Robinson notched a game high 27 points to lead the visitors from UMaine-Farmington into sole possession of first place in the NAC with a 92-82 win over the Eagles.
A back and forth first half saw the Beavers breaking out early to a 7-0 lead. Husson went on a 15-0 run to take the lead. The first 20 minutes had five lead changes with UMF having the final of those leads and a six point advantage 40-34 at the half. Robinson also got his 1,000th career point on a free throw earlier in the first half.
UMF outscored Husson by 11 over the first 9:25 of the second half and extended their lead to 73-56. The Eagles got within nine at 87-78 on a three pointer from Justice Kendall, but would get no closer.
Robinson added five rebounds and five assists on 9-12 shooting from the floor for the 12-6, 8-1 Beavers. Bill Ruby had 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks. Amir Moss also chipped in 17 points and five assists. Justin Martin had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Eagles. Kendall also finished with 22 points, adding five assists, and four steals. DJ Bussey also put in 16 points as Husson drops to 11-8, 7-2. The Eagles host Northern Vermont-Johnson next Friday at 5:30 p.m.
In the women’s game, Emma Alley scored a career high 15 points to lead the host Eagles to their six straight win holding off UMF 52-47 to remain unbeaten in NAC play.
A poor shooting effort from both squads, as UMF shot 33 percent and Husson only shot the ball at 27.9 percent. Husson had a two point lead after the opening quarter, then used a late 10-1 run in the second quarter to open up a 30-21 halftime lead.
The Eagles eventually built the lead to 13 early in the fourth quarter at 43-30, before the Beavers made a fourth quarter rally. A 10-0 Beavers run over the next four minutes cut the lead to just 43-40. A three pointer from Alley, and a 1-2 effort from the line by Megan Peach would increase the Husson lead back to seven with 1:59 to play. Morgan Crocker nailed a three pointer to bring UMF back within four again at 47-43 with 59 seconds remaining, but Alley and Kenzie Worcester made 5-6 from the line down the stretch to salt the win away for the Eagles. Husson is now 13-6, 9-0 while UMF is 5-14, 4-5.
Joan Overman and Peach both had eight points for Husson. Overman added nine rebounds and five steals, while Peach added 10 rebounds and four blocks. McKenna Brodeur had 14 points and eight rebounds for UMF. Haley Felkel added nine points, while Crocker finished with eight points and five rebounds. The Eagles host Northern Vermont-Johnson next Friday at 7:30 p.m.
