CASTINE, Maine — Monday night was a battle of the top two teams in the North Atlantic Conference East Division as the Husson University women's basketball team squared off against reigning NAC champion Maine Maritime Academy on the road, falling 72-67. 
 
Monday's conference showdown went the distance as two of the top players in the region put on a scoring display with graduate student Bailey Donovan dropping a career-high 38 points in 36 minutes, while MMA's Erianna Moore tallied 37 points. 
 
Husson (8-9, 4-3 NAC) lead after the opening 10 minutes on Monday, outscoring the Mariners 16-13 in the first quarter, however, MMA (11-4, 6-0 NAC) rolled off a 21-16 run to lead 34-32 at the half. 
 
The Eagles would come out of the half on a tear, but late third-quarter turnovers allowed MMA to win the quarter 24-22 and maintain four-point advantage heading in the deciding quarter. 
 
The fourth quarter proved to be a defensive struggle with both teams battling on the boards and forcing turnovers, but the Mariners managed to outlast the Eagles defensive effort to come away with the 72-67 decision. 
 
Donovan led all scorers with her career-high 38 points, adding 18 rebounds to finish with a double double. Donovan finished and impressive 19-20 from the free throw line, while junior Lauren Cook added eight points and three boards. 
 
Junior Hannah Richards dished out four assists, while scoring six points. Additionally, junior Sofia Torres-Reyes added five points and three rebounds. 
 
The Eagles square off against the University of Maine-Presque Isle on Tuesday at home with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.