The Husson University men’s and women’s basketball teams welcomed in the University of Maine-Presque Isle Saturday afternoon for the North Atlantic Conference openers at Newman Gymnasium in Bangor.
In the men’s game, Husson started the second half on an 11-0 run and then built a 15 point lead and held off a late run by UMPI for an 84-81 win. The Owls led 41-38 at the break, but the Eagles picked up the defensive intensity and ran off 11 straight finished off with a Corey Humbles layup to make it 49-41 just 4:35 into the second half. The lead went to 15 several times before UMPI used some back court pressure defense to force some turnovers and get back into the game. Layups off turnovers by DanyJoel Harris in the final minute cut it to a three point deficit twice, but key free throws down the stretch allowed Husson to hold on. DJ Bussey led the Eagles with 24 points, while Justin Thompson added 16 points and eight rebounds including his 1000th career point. J Thomas contributed 14 points off the bench, as Husson goes to 4-2 overall and now 1-0 in the NAC. Harris led all scorers with 32 points and eight rebounds in the loss for UMPI, and Griffin Guerrette had 26 points. The Owls are 2-6, 0-1. The Eagles play a non-conference game at Bowdoin Wednesday night at 6 p.m.
In the women’s game, Husson shot 60% in the first half to build a comfortable lead and would cruise to an 88-54 win over UMPI to break a three game losing streak.
The Eagles never trailed and led 27-8 after the opening 10 minutes holding the Owls to 2-13 from the field (15%). Husson led by 21 at the break and led by as many as 37 in the final quarter to improve to 3-3 overall and 1-0 in the NAC. They would put all 10 of their players in the scorebook on the day, led by Vanessa Duarte with 19 points and nine rebounds. Cassie Urso had 17 points and six rebounds, while both Bailey Donovan and Makaelyn Porter also got into double figures with 12 and 10 points respectively. Donovan also added seven rebounds and two blocks, while Porter had four rebounds. Husson shot 59% from the floor overall in the game, including 9-15 (60%) from the three-point arc. Alexis Ireland had 21 points and nine rebounds for UMPI, who falls to 4-1 and 0-1 in the NAC. The Owls will have a shot at redemption when the teams meet again in Presque Isle Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m.
