JOHNSON, Vt. – The Badgers remained a couple steps ahead of the Eagles on Saturday evening as the Husson University men's basketball team (8-13, 5-5 NAC) fell behind, 85-70, to the Northern Vermont University-Johnson team (5-16, 3-6 NAC) in North Atlantic Conference action.

IN THE ACTION: 

Coming back with a vengeance and home court advantage after dropping the first matchup in Bangor, the Badgers remained a couple baskets ahead of the Eagles throughout the entire night. A dunk from Zach Shedd to open the scoring for NVU-Johnson really set the tone for the evening of basketball. Justice Kendall kept Husson in the game by scoring the first seven points as they trailed 12-7 in the opening six minutes of play. 

The Eagles once again made it a five-point game just eight minutes later as DJ Bussey stole the ball and drove the paint for a layup to cut the score down to 24-19. By the end of 20 minutes, Husson continued to remain with ten points of their host, 37-28. 

After falling behind by 17 points a quarter of the way through the second half, the Eagles battled back within seven points, 49-42, on a 12-2 run with 13 minutes remaining. Husson matched basket-for-basket over the next five minutes before once again dropping too far behind to catch up.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Four Eagles netted double-digits between Brett Cunningham (13), Justice Kendall (13), DJ Bussey (10), and Scott Lewis (11). 
• NVU-Johnson hit a consistent 50% (30-60) from the field while Husson scored a close 46.6% (27-58).
• Both teams saw over 30 points scored off the bench. 
• Both Floyd Davis and Ayodeji Shokeye recorded double-doubles off the bench for the Badgers. 

UP NEXT!

Husson will stay overnight in Vermont for another Northern Vermont game as they take on the Northern Vermont University-Lyndon Hornets at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow (February 9th).