Box Score Bangor, ME - In a tight contest culminating in a wild finish, the Husson men's basketball team fell to University of Maine-Farmington by a score of 67-64 in a packed Newman Gymnasium on Thursday night. With the win, UMF remains in first place in the North Atlantic Conference with an 8-1 conference record (8-7 overall), while the Eagles drop to 5-10 on the season (5-4 NAC).
Husson saw three players finish the game in double figures, led by junior guard Eric Modica (Kittery, ME) who dropped a game-high 17 on the night. Mike Gonzales (Ft. Washington, MD) added 12 including 6-7 from the line, while Marc Zaharchuk (Fairfield, ME) turned in a double-double, finishing with 10 points and 11 rebounds. All nine players Husson sent to the floor scored at least two points on the night as the team collectively shot 39.6% from the floor.
For Farmington, four starters scored 12 or more on the night and were led by the tandem of Pet Sumner (Cramerton, NC) and Kevin Leary (Manchester, ME) who scored 14 apiece. Dan Kane (Bradford, ME) scored 13 to go along with eight assists, while center Ben Johnson (Manchester, ME) dropped 12 points and pulled down nine boards before he was given the early exit. The Beavers struggled in the early going, shooting just 25% from the floor in the first, but they appeared to find the range in the second half, making 63% of their shots in the final frame.
The Eagles fought back from an early deficit to take a 33-24 lead into the break, which they stretched to a 17 point lead with 14:40 remaining after a 12-3 run to open the second half. UMF chipped away and eventually reclaimed the lead at 51-59 with 1:20 to go after a pair of three's from Sumner and Leary on back-to-back possessions.
Gonzales stole the ball on the next Beaver possession and laid it in to tie the game with 26 seconds left. After a Farmington timeout, Leary drained another 3 with just 12 seconds remaining.
The Eagles took a timeout and head coach Warren Caruso drew up his play for the final possession. Gonzales got the ball on the left wing and threw up a three but was fouled by Johnson with just 4.9 seconds left to play, sending the sophomore transfer to the line for three shots. He drained the first two, and despite a timeout from UMF head coach Dick Meader in an attempt to ice him, Gonzales hit his third free throw to tie the game at 67.
Kane brought the ball up the right side of the court where he met a double-team just over the half court line, but was somehow able to wiggle free and lob a pass to Andrew Dickey (Cape Elizabeth, ME) who launched a shot from the top of the key as time expired. It found nothing but net and the Beaver bench erupted, much to the chagrin of the stunned crowd.
The Eagles return to action on Saturday the 21st when they travel to Thomas College for a 4:00 pm start, in what should be another thrilling NAC contest. The Beavers return to Farmington to host Maine Maritime on Saturday in a game that will begin at 3:00 pm.