Bangor, ME - The Husson University women's basketball team defeated the Beavers of the University of Maine at Farmington by a score of 70-65 at Newman Gymnasium Tuesday evening. With the win, Husson advances to the North Atlantic Conference semifinals where they will meet No. 2 Colby-Sawyer at host Castleton State College. Farmington finishes their 2011-12 campaign with a record of 10-15.

The Eagles were led by senior point guard Amanda Gifford (Lee, ME) who scored 14, that tied sophomore forward Stephanie Comstock (Bangor, ME) for the team lead who also added eight boards off the bench. Brianna Hanscom (Mattawamkeag, ME) tallied 12 points off 4-9 shooting and a team high nine rebounds in her final game at Newman Gymnasium. Collectively the Eagles shot 39% from the floor and made 23 of their 30 foul shots in the game. 

For the Beavers, Emma Morrison (Saco, ME) led all scorers with 15 points while Kenni Norton (Strong, ME) and Paige Saunders (Surry, ME) added 13 and 12 respectively. Kelsey Graffam (Falmouth, ME) grabbed nine rebounds to help Farmington win the battle on the boards with 36 to Husson's 28. UMF also out-shot the Eagles from the floor, making 42% of their shots. 

UMF jumped out to a 10-2 lead to start the game, but the Eagles chipped away and tied the game when Hanscom hit the front end of a pair of free-throws. Husson would take their first lead of the game on a Caitlin Butterfield (Gorham, ME) jumper, two of her eight on the night. Husson would stretch the lead with an 8-0 run into the first media timeout to lead 20-18 with 6:30 left in the first. With 1:17 remaining in the first, Norton hit a three from the left wing to bring UMF to within 5 at the half with the score 33-28.

Coming out of the half the teams traded baskets for the first 15 minutes with the Eagle lead hovering around five through the duration. A pair of Rachel Clement (Gray, ME) free throws brought Farmington to within three (60-63) at the three minute mark. Butterfield added a pair of free throws, but was answered on the next Beaver possession by a Morrison trey to bring UMF to within two. The Eagles made their free throws down the stretch, and despite Farmington's best efforts sealed the victory at 70-65. 

Husson will travel to Castleton State on Friday for the NAC semifinals where they will meet No. 2 Colby-Sawyer for a 3:00 pm start. The Chargers defeated Lyndon State 79-63 in their quarterfinal match up in New London, NH.