Riles Neff scored a game-high 35 points on Friday night, leading the Husson Eagles to a 87-81 season opening double overtime men’s basketball win over Bowdoin College at Morrell Gymnasium in Brunswick.
It was a back and forth battle all night, as both teams had a lead in the first half with the biggest being five on a layup by Neff for Husson. The guests would hold a slight 37-35 advantage at the halftime break. With the Eagles still hanging on to a slim lead of 53-51 with 10:56 left in regulation, they got some separation with a 7-0 run on a free throw by Eric Ahlers, a layup by Neff, and a pair of jumpshots by Ahlers to extend it to 60-51. They would only score two points though in the remaining 8:24 of the second half, as Bowdoin rallied eventually sending it to overtime at 62-62 on a layup by Natrel Allen with 42 seconds remaining. Husson would take a 69-65 advantage on a three-pointer by Scott Lewis with 1:55 to go in the first extra session, but the Polar Bears would force a double overtime on two free throws from James McGowan and a layup by Kevin Reeves. The Eagles took the lead for good 79-77 on a layup by Neff with 1:51 showing on the clock in the double OT, and would go 8-8 from the line in the last 47 seconds to ice the win.
Neff added 10 rebounds and three assists to his game-high point total in the win for Husson. He shot 13-23 from the floor (3-5 three-pointers), and made 6-6 from the free throw line. Ahlers had 22 points, Lewis contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Jeremy Moronta chipped in 11 points and six rebounds. Bowdoin also put four players in double figures in the loss, led by Michael Simonds who had 17 points and six rebounds. Reeves finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds. The Eagles return to action Tuesday night in their home opener when they take on the University of Maine-Fort Kent at 6 p.m.
Recap by Chris LessnerÂ
