Bangor, ME - With an 81-69 win over Johnson State on Tuesday night, the second-seeded Husson Eagles men's basketball team advanced to their 18th conference semifinal in the last 19 seasons. Husson improves to 18-8 while Johnson State ends their season at 9-17.

Senior Marc Zaharchuk (Richmond, ME) led the Eagles with a game-high 20 points and eight rebounds. Teammate and fellow senior Eric Modica (Kittery, ME) chipped in 12 points, 5 assists,  and a game-high 9 rebounds, and senior Wes Murphy (Norwich, CT) scored 11 points.

The Eagles shot 37% from the field in what proved to be a close first half. Husson kept the lead, but the Badgers fought them basket-for-basket and brought it within two points heading into the half, 34-32. Johnson State came out fighting in the second half and tied it up at 39-39 off a Cory Chase (Milton, VT) jumper before taking the lead at 47-46. It was a back-and-forth game until Husson grabbed a 65-58 lead off a Corey Wood (Laurel, MD) three-pointer with 6:45 left, and the Eagles pulled away to an 81-69 victory. Husson improved their field goal percentage to 53% for the second half.

Andy Bousono (Philadelphia, PA) was the big scorer for the Badgers with 17 points. Chase added 15, and Asim Khan (Torrance, CA) added 10 for Johnson State. Junior Bryan Hickey (Barre, VT) tied Husson's Modica for a game-high 9 rebounds, and Chase and Cody Camisa (Colchester, VT) each grabbed 6.

Husson will face Colby-Sawyer College, the winner of the 3 vs. 6 matchup, in a Friday, February 22 game at Maine-Farmington. The winner of that will compete in the final the next day. For game times and all your Husson Eagles Athletics coverage, stay tuned to www.hussoneagles.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.