Bangor, ME - The Husson University women's basketball team fought tooth and nail to the bitter end of the Tuesday night contest with the Huskies of the University of Southern Maine, but the hole they dug themselves into in the first half was too much to overcome, and USM held on for the 82-60 victory at Newman Gymnasium.

The Eagles were led by senior point guard Amanda Gifford (Lee, ME) who scored a team-high 14 points while pulling down six rebounds and dishing out five assists. Brianna Hanscom (Mattawampkeag, ME) dipped into double digits as well scoring 11, while shooting 7-11 from the free throw line. Gab Duke (Rockport, ME) was 4-6 from the floor adding nine points, and Kelli Murray (Shawmut, ME) chipped in with eight. 

For the Huskies, senior forward Courtney Cochran (Waite, ME) was unstoppable inside, leading all scorers with 23 points on 9-10 shooting from the floor, and narrowly missed a double-double while recording a game-high eight rebounds. Junior swing player Haley Jordan (Falmouth, ME) scored 19 points despite being in foul trouble throughout most of the game. Erin McNamara (West Newbury, MA) was the third USM player in double figures, dropping 12 while dishing out five assists. Jordan Grant (Concord, NH) was impressive off the bench scoring nine points on 3-4 shooting.

The University of Southern Maine jumped out to an early lead, and controlled much of the first half going into the break up 48-29. Eagles' Head Coach Kissy Walker took nearly every second of the 15 minute half time in the lockerroom discussing their second half strategy, and it seemed to pay off as the second half margin was just three points. 

Collectively the Huskies out-shot Husson from the floor, making 58.5% of their shots to the 42% by the Eagles. The true margin in the game was on the boards where USM held a 34-18 advantage. 

Husson, who falls to 3-5, will return to action this weekend when they resume North Atlantic Conference play, hosting the top two teams in the league. The Eagles take on New England College at 7:00 pm on Friday, and come back again at 3:30 pm on Saturday against Colby-Sawyer. USM return home to take on Little East rival Keene State at 1:00 pm on Saturday.