BANGOR, Maine – The Husson University men's basketball team battled to the very end against SUNY Delhi on Sunday afternoon at Newman Gymnasium, but ultimately couldn't overcome a 15-point first half deficit to the Broncos, in addition to playing without three starters, falling 70-61.
It was an offensive struggle early on for both Husson (12-6, 7-1 NAC) and Delhi (7-11, 4-3 NAC), as a layup from junior Gil Matondo on the fast break brought the score to 13-10 in favor of the Broncos with 9:46 remaining in the opening half.
Delhi was able to catch fire offensively in the final part of the half, going on a 19-7 run over a seven-minute stretch to take its largest lead of 15 with 2:37 left in the opening frame.
The Eagles showed some signs of life to close the half, as they held the Broncos scoreless for the final 2:37 and scored the final five points of the half to go into the locker room down just 10.
Husson continued to fight in the second half, as a layup from Matondo and a three-pointer from freshman Connor Heald brought the deficit down to just four and forced a timeout from Delhi with 13:41 remaining.
The Eagles got the lead down to six three different times throughout the second half, but each push was countered with a timely basket from the Broncos, as the game came down the stretch.
With the score at 57-49 in favor of Delhi and five minutes left in the contest, graduate student Scott Lewis single-handedly brought the Eagles to within one, as he posted seven of his game-high 22 points over a two-minute stretch to get Husson back in it.
Once again the Broncos had a run of their own in them, as they answered with a 7-0 run of their own to close the game out and hand the defending North Atlantic Conference Champions their first conference loss of the season, in addition to snapping their 10-game win-streak.
Lewis tied his season-high of 22 points, while also adding his second double-double of the year with 12 rebounds and blocking two shots.
Heald and sophomore Tope Alao each added 12 points, while Alao grabbed seven rebounds and Heald hauled in five.
As a team, Husson shot just 34.4% from the floor and managed to convert on just 13 of its 24 free throw attempts.
The Eagles will look to rebound on Tuesday when they host Colby College in non-conference play at 7 p.m.
