LOS ANGELES – The Husson University men's basketball team made the hour drive west from Redlands to take on Occidental College for their final game of the California road trip as the Eagles fell in a thrilling, 60-59, contest on Friday night.

It was a slow start for the Eagles (3-8) as the Tigers (5-5) jumped out to a 10-5 lead in the opening three minutes of the contest. A jumper from junior Scott Lewis followed by back-to-back threes from seniors Luke Caruso and J Thomas helped the Eagles even the score at 16 midway through the first half. From then on, Husson took over the slight advantage in a back-and-forth affair as they headed to the locker room up, 33-32.

The Eagles would continue to lead for the first six minutes of the second half before the Tigers would regain the lead at 46-44. Both teams continued to trade off baskets until the Eagles tied the game again at 58 when the final media timeout was called with 3:19 remaining in regulation.

Junior Jeremy Moronta hit a free throw to give the Eagles a one point lead with 90 seconds left before Jacob Hamermesh regained the lead for the Tigers with a layup. The one point lead was all the Tigers needed as the Eagles were unsuccessful is retaking the lead in the final minute.

Lewis led the Eagles with 15 points and five boards while Moronta, off the bench, recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman DJ Woods, graduate student Justice Kendall as well as Thomas each scored eight points.

The men's basketball team will return home for their next two contest when they resume North Atlantic Conference action with back-to-back games versus schools from the West Division. On Friday, the Eagles will host SUNY Delhi at 7:30 p.m. followed by SUNY Cobleskill on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.