The North Atlantic Conference champion Husson men’s and women’s basketball teams found out their NCAA Division III opponents on Monday afternoon during the NCAA Division III selection show. The Eagles both drew teams out of the NESCAC for their first round games.
The Husson men at 17-10, who defeated Thomas College 82-67 on Saturday at UMaine-Farmington to capture the NAC Tournament title will face the #16 Williams Ephs out of the NESCAC in a first round matchup. Williams (20-6) lost in their conference semifinal to Amherst, but was able to earn an at-large bid to the field. Williams averaged 82 points per game during the regular season, shooting overall at 50 percent from the floor, and 38 percent from three point range. Williams is led by Bobby Casey who averages 18.5 points, as three starters average double figures. The Ephs also grabbed an average of 40 rebounds per outing. Husson scored the ball at 81.1 points per game, 44 percent from the field, and 36 percent from three point range. The Eagles also averaged 41 rebounds a game. Leading the way for Husson is Justin Martin who averages 15.1 points per outing, as the Eagles also have three starters averaging in double figures. The game will be at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts at 7:30 pm on Friday, March 1.
The Husson women enter the tournament with a record of 19-8. The Eagles defeated Maine Maritime Academy 58-51 on Saturday at Newman Gym in Bangor to win their fourth consecutive NAC title. Husson gets two time defending national champion the #4 Amherst Mammoths in a first round game. Amherst (23-3) earlier in the season had a 68 game winning streak snapped, and got upset over the weekend in a NESCAC semifinal against Tufts. The Mammoths averaged 66 points per game in the regular season, including 44 percent from the floor, 31 percent from three point range, and 38 rebounds. Leading the way for Amherst is Hannah Fox and Madeline Eck, both at 16 points per game. Husson averaged 64 points per game, 38 percent from the field, and 30 percent from behind the arc. The Eagles average 43 rebounds a game, led by Megan Peach who averaged 10 per game and 11.2 in conference play. Kenzie Worcester leads the way offensively. The NAC Tourney MVP and reigning NAC player of the week averages 18.8 points per outing. The game will be played in Amherst, Mass on Friday, March 1 with a time still to be announced by the NCAA.
