CASTINE, Maine - The Husson University men's basketball team (6-8, 4-1 NAC) went back-and-forth with Maine Maritime Academy (3-11, 1-4 NAC) before falling to the Mariners at Smith Gymnasium on Friday night, 69-63. 

IN THE ACTION:

The Eagles opened the scoring as Scott Lewis hit a three-pointer before the Mariners recorded the next 14 points forcing a Husson timeout with 14:25 remaining in the first half. The Eagles responded by scoring 13 unanswered, including six consecutive points from Lewis to give the Husson their second lead of the contest at 16-14 with 9:15 to go. Maine Maritime's DeMerrill Levy splashed a three to stop the Eagles' run and spark an 11-point run of their own to take a 36-32 advantage into the break.

The Eagles would tie the game again with 13:50 left in the second half as Justice Kendall broke through the paint to put home the layup to level the score at 43-43. Maine Maritime would regain the lead before Derek Collin gave the Eagles a one-point push, 48-47, after converting a pair from the charity stripe. Husson fell behind once again until Kendall drained two points from the free throw line to bring the score to 60-59 with less than six minutes left to play. A three-point play from Mariner Malachi Reincke gave the Mariners the lead for good to secure the close 69-63 victory. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Lewis led the Eagles with his first career double-double, capturing 17 points and 12 rebounds. He added two assists, two steals, and two blocks.

• The Eagles outrebounded the Mariners, 39-30, and held an advantageous edge on offensive rebounds, 16-2.

• Reincke scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Mariners on 7-9 shooting.

• Maine Maritime converted 9-of-16 (56.3%) from behind the arc while Husson went 4-for-21 (19.0%).

• Collin hit 11 points, all scored in the second half. He also recovered seven rebounds. 

UP NEXT!

The Eagles will host #12 Colby College on Tuesday, January 21st at Newman Gym for a non-conference game before resuming conference play on the road. Tip-off on Tuesday is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.