LEWISTON, Maine — The Husson University men's basketball team dropped a hard-fought 82-73 non-conference decision to Bates College on the road Tuesday evening. 
 
Bates (3-2) jumped out to an early seven-point lead in Tuesday's matchup leading 11-4 with 16:45 remaining, but Husson (1-4) chipped away at the Bobcats advantage over the next seven minutes before tying the game at 16-16 with 11 minutes remaining in the opening half. 
 
The Eagles would take a six-point led of their own with 4:47 remaining ahead 31-25, but both Bates ended the half on an 11-3 run to take a 36-34 edge into the break. 
 
The Bobcats opened the second half on a 23-9 run, opening up a 59-43 led before Husson pulled back within seven points at 73-66 with 3:20 remaining. However, Bates would hang on to its edge over the final minutes to come away with the 82-73 win. 
 
Graduate student Justice Kendall finished with a team-high 18 points for the, while junior Scott Lewis tallied 12 points.
 
Senior J Thomas and junior Jeremy Moronta tallied 11 points, apiece while fellow junior Jared Balser recorded 10 points and a team-high six rebounds. 
 
Husson will open North Atlantic Conference play on Saturday when it hosts the University of Maine-Presque Isle for the Husson Sports Hall of Fame game beginning at 3 p.m.