The Husson University men’s and women’s basketball teams opened up an abbreviated season schedule on Friday evening. The men traveled to Presque Isle to play the UMPI Owls, while the women played host to UMPI in Bangor.
At Presque Isle, Husson outscored UMPI 33-17 over the final 9:25 of the first half to break open a close game en route to an 83-66 win.
DJ Bussey led the way with 16 points, five rebounds, and four steals in the win. Scott Lewis had 14 points and eight rebounds. Former Hermon High standout Isaac Varney had seven points and four rebounds in his collegiate debut. Husson shot 43% from the field, 50% (10-20) from the three-point arc, and had only seven turnovers in the game. Akhe McMichael had 20 points and seven rebounds to lead the UMPI Owls.
In Bangor, Husson used a big second half surge to pull away for a 74-50 women’s basketball win over UMPI.
The Eagles held a 36-33 edge at the half, and then after the Owls took a one point lead with four minutes left in the third quarter Husson went on a 12-2 run to take control outscoring UMPI by 21 in the second half. Sophomore center Bailey Donovan was the game high scorer scoring 34 points and hauling down 21 rebounds. Donovan was 12-17 from the floor and 10-11 from the foul line.
The men’s team is scheduled to play a total of six games, while the women are scheduled for five. No teams will be involved in any games that involve conference play or playoffs, as the NAC has canceled that for this season. Husson and UMPI men will play again Saturday in Bangor at 3:30 p.m., while the women play again Saturday, March 6 against UMaine-Farmington.
