CASTINE, ME – After trailing by as many as 12 points, Husson University got within a single possessiontwice in the closing minutes of a North Atlantic Conference (NAC) women's basketball matchup withMaine Maritime. The Eagles' (9-8, 9-2 NAC) comeback bid fell short as the Mariners (9-8, 6-4 NAC) hungon for a 57-53, win Saturday afternoon. The Mariners' victory snapped their two-game skid against theEagles, and was the first home win over the Eagles since 2008.

In the second half, Husson chipped away at a Maine Maritime lead that had been in double digits severaltimes throughout the game. The Eagles' defense clogged up passing lanes, forcing a spate of MaineMaritime turnovers during a seven-minute scoreless stretch that saw the Eagles climb within three, 48-45. Leah Jackson (Dedham, Maine) finally broke the drought with a jumper from near the top of thekey before Husson started sending Sam Goda (Eliot, Maine) to the line. Goda hit four free throws onconsecutive possessions to extend the lead to six points. She finished with a game-high 16 points and 10rebounds.

Husson again cut it to a three-point game with 2:41 left, when Brianna Hanscom (Mattawamkeag,Maine) hit on the front end of a pair making in 54-51. The teams traded missed shots and turnoversuntil Maggie Smith (Bath, Maine) hit a trifecta with 38 ticks in the contest to make it a six-point affair,57-51. Amanda Gifford (Lee, Maine) got to the line on the ensuing possession and hit both to make itthe 57-53 final with 26 seconds to play. Husson got the ball back with 21 seconds, but their 16th turnoverof the day ended the game for the guests.

Goda was one of three Mariners to finish in double-digits in the scoring column. Smith scored 13 to gowith five rebounds and three assists. Casey McCloskey (Howland, Maine) had 10 points, seven dimesand three steals. The Mariners converted Husson's 16 turnovers into 14 points. Husson only managednine points off of MMA's 22 giveaways.

Husson got 13 points from Gifford and Stephanie Comstock (Bangor, Maine). Hanscom finished with adozen points and six boards, while Kelli Murray (Shawmut, Maine) had 11 points and four assists.

The Mariners set the tone early, jumping out to a 5-0 lead on a lay-up and a trey from Smith on theirfirst two possessions. Maine Maritime used the early momentum to build a 12-point advantage midwaythrough the first half. It was the Mariners' largest lead in the wire-to-wire win.

Husson began chipping away getting it back to a single-digit differential, before McCloskey hit a threeto make it 30-19 with 7:13 in the first half. The Eagles' Murray answered with a three of her own on thenext trip, only to see MMA's Kari Jones (Nobleboro, Maine) knock down another three 50 seconds later.The Mariners clicked on half of their 10 treys in the first half to carry a 37-29 lead into the locker room.

Husson returns to action next Friday night when they return home to host Green Mountain College at 5:30 pm in Newman Gymnasium. Maine Maritime returns to action on Tuesday night, picking up the NAC game with Farmington that wassuspended because of a power outage. The teams will play approximately 21 minutes of basketball in Smith Gymnasium.