BANGOR, Maine – The Husson University men's basketball team won its ninth North Atlantic Conference championship defeating SUNY Poly 57-53 on Saturday afternoon at Newman Gymnasium. Husson's has now won nine conference championships since 2009, giving it the most championships in conference history and is now 14-4 overall in championship games during head coach Warren Caruso's 28-year career.

The early part of the opening half saw both offenses struggle to get going, as it was a 6-6 tie at the first media timeout. After the timeout, the Wildcats started to find their groove, as they went on a 15-4 run and held the Eagles scoreless for nearly four minutes during the stretch. Husson would fight its way back into the game, as they countered with a 12-4 run of their own to bring the deficit to 25-22. SUNY-Poly would finish off the half outscoring the Eagles 5-1 to take a 30-23 lead into the locker room.

The Wildcats were led by senior Josh Gregory in the first 20 minutes of play, as he put in 12 points. Junior Jesse O'Dell recorded eight points, in addition to grabbing seven rebounds. 

Husson was led by senior Justice Kendall in the first half as he tallied nine points. Sophomore Jeremy Moronta, junior Jared Balser, and graduate student Justin Thompson each tallied four points for the Eagles.

Husson opened the second half with intensity, as they started the half on a 13-5 spurt and took a 36-35 lead on a pair of free throws from Thompson. After the free throws the game would remain scoreless for more than three minutes before junior Cam Wood would make a putback layup to extend the Eagles lead. Husson wouldn't relinquish the lead for the remainder of the game and would seal the game late, with clutch foul shooting from junior Derek Collin and senior DJ Bussey, who combined to go three of four down the stretch. 

Thompson led the way for the Eagles, as he tallied a double-double with 17 points, including 13 in the second half, and 10 rebounds. Kendall finished with 14 points and Balser concluded another stellar defensive effort with eight points and four blocks. 

SUNY Poly was led by Gregory, who also recorded a double-double with a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds. O'Dell finished with 12 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore LJ Randle put in 11 points for the Wildcats. 

The Eagles forced SUNY Poly into 21 turnovers, while only committing eight turnovers of their own. Foul shooting also played a factor in the game, as Husson shot 64% and the Wildcats shot just 41 percent.

Thompson, Bussey and Kendall of the Eagles were all named to the all-tournament team, in addition to Gregory and O'Dell for SUNY Poly, as well as Jack Kane from the University of Maine at Farmington and Erhunosere Uwuigbe from SUNY Delhi. Kendall was also named the most valuable player of the tournament.

Story by Zac Mills