BANGOR, ME – The Husson University Women's Basketball team went head-to-head with Bates College in a game that came down to the final minute.  Bates earned the 84-79 win behind late 3-pointers by Allie Beaulieu (SO, Swampscott, MA).  Beaulieu ended the game with 18 points (7-11 FG, 4-8 3P) and 6 rebounds.

Bates won the tip and started on a 6-0 run by Jessie Igoe (SR, Lexington, MA), who ended up fouling out with 5 minutes to go in the game with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 blocks.  After 10 minutes of play, Bates led 23-17.  Bates then went on a 16-7 run to lead 39-24 with 5 minutes left, and ended up leading by 18 at the half, 48-30.

Husson was slow to start and was not defending in transition very well in the opening minutes, but seemed to slow the pace down and tighten up defensively in the second half.

Husson Head Coach Kissy Walker said, "One of the things we talked about was stopping their transition.  Once we started doing that we were able to kick it out to our shooters."

Husson opened the second half on a 14-6 run powered by Bethany Sevey (SR, Skowhegan, ME) and Brianna Hanscom (JR, Mattawamkeag, ME), and after 10 minutes of play Husson cut the lead to 8 points, 60-52.  This half, it was Bates's turn to get off to a slow start, but recovered and quickly hit two 3-pointers to increase the lead to 14.

Husson wasn't ready to go away just yet.  With 4 minutes left, behind the play of Hanscom in the paint, Husson cut the lead to 1 point. From there was back-and-forth, but Husson tied the game at 74 with 2:20 left.  From there, Bates pulled away from the Eagles for an 84-79 victory.

"I was impressed with my players, who after being down by 20 against Bates – who is a very good ball club, came back to tie the game," said Coach Walker.  "I'm not surprised, though, because that's how we played last year.  They showed a lot of determination."

Top performers for Bates were Meredith Kelly (FY, Cohasset, MA) with 19 points (8-14 FG) and Beaulieu (18 points, 6 rebounds).

For Husson, Hanscom ended the game with a double-double, scoring 18 points (4-9 FG, 10-15 FT), grabbing 10 rebounds, and also contributing 6 assists.  Sevey ended the game with 18 points (5-12 FG, 4-7 3P) and 4 rebounds.  Kelli Murray (SO, Shawmut, ME) contributed 13 points (5-12 FG) and Amanda Gifford (JR, Lee, ME) ended the game with 11 points and 6 assists.

Bates (3-1) will play their next game December 1 at home against U-Maine Farmington at 7 PM.

Husson (0-3) will play their next game in this weekend's Paul Bunyan Tournament at Newman Gymnasium.  Husson's game will be Friday, December 3 at 7:30 PM against Maine-Fort Kent.  Then, on Saturday December 4, the Eagles will play Maine-Presque Isle at 3 PM.