Bangor,ME- The Husson University Eagles men’s basketball team held off the pesky University of Maine Presque Isle Owls 71-63 Saturday evening at the Newman Gym in the second meeting of the two teams in less than 24 hours.
The Owls got the scoring going first getting out to a 5-0 lead in the first two minutes from baskets from DeAndre Duncombe and Te’von Hines. The Eagles quickly turned the slow start into a 11-0 run just five minutes into the first half. The run got bigger as Husson opened up a 24-9 lead with just 11:39 to go in the half. Presque Isle would close the gap to 36-22 at halftime.
Both teams struggled offensively to start the second half with no scoring in the first two and a half minutes. Isiah Hart broke the drought with a three point field goal. The Owls would turn up the intensity in the middle stages of the half to close the score to 48-46 with 8:41 to go and 54-52 with 5:46 left. Husson would get to the foul line often in the final minutes to close out the game.
Husson put three players in double digit scoring. Justin Thompson led the way for the Eagles with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Corey Kaiser added 15 points and five rebounds, and Scott Lewis contributed 10 points and nine rebounds.
Presque Isle was led by DeAndre Duncombe with 19 points, while Hines added 13 points.
The win moves Husson to 4-0 in the North Atlantic Conference and is their sixth win overall on the season (6-7). Presque Isle is 0-4 in conference play and 4-8 overall after getting swept this weekend. The Eagles defeated the Owls 83-68 Friday night.
UP NEXT: The Eagles will travel to Castine to take on Maine Maritime in NAC action Friday January 17th at 7:30pm. The Owls will travel to Suny-Canton next weekend for a two game weekend set.
