BANGOR, Maine — The Husson University men's basketball team opened its 2025–26 season with a statement win Monday night, racing past the University of Maine at Fort Kent, 113–90, inside William P. Newman Gymnasium.
The 113 points are the most that the Eagles have scored since the 2018-19 season, when they scored 113 against the University of Maine-Presque Isle.
The game began at a furious pace, with both teams trading early baskets. UMFK (1-3) struck first with a jumper, but senior Eric Ahlers answered immediately with a three-pointer from the left wing, assisted by senior Gil Matondo. After a Fort Kent layup, junior Andre McCauley connected from deep to give Husson (1-0) its first lead of the night at 6–4.
The Bengals briefly regained the edge behind a three-pointer, but Husson quickly responded. McCauley finished a fast-break layup off a steal by senior Ty Henke, and sophomore Connor Heald came off the bench to provide an instant spark, drilling back-to-back threes to cap a 12–2 run. Moments later, sophomore Dylan Burpee converted a layup in transition, followed by a three-pointer from senior Charlie Katsiaficas that extended the Eagles' lead to 26–15 midway through the half.
Husson continued to push the tempo, with freshman Pierce Walston orchestrating the offense to perfection. He found Heald for another corner three and later assisted on a transition layup by freshman Christian Smith. The Eagles dominated the boards in the first 20 minutes, with Ahlers and Matondo combining for nine rebounds as Husson closed the half on a 14–4 burst. A deep three from Smith and a late bucket by Matondo sent the Eagles into the locker room with a commanding 59–42 advantage.
Husson picked up right where it left off after the break. Heald opened the half with a drive and finish through contact, followed by another bucket inside from Ahlers. After a quick Fort Kent three, Walston pushed the pace, finding Matondo for a layup and Henke for a transition three that made it 72–49 just five minutes into the half.
The Eagles' relentless pressure and depth began to wear down the Bengals. McCauley added back-to-back assists on fast breaks, first to Smith and then to Henke, before Burpee cleaned up the glass for a putback layup. Midway through the half, Katsiaficas and freshman Derrick Carroll connected on consecutive three-pointers as Husson's lead ballooned past 25 points.
Late in the game, Walston continued to stuff the stat sheet, grabbing his 10th rebound and assisting on a transition bucket by Matondo. The Eagles maintained control the rest of the way, closing the night with 46 fast-break points and 24 second-chance points, sealing a 113–90 victory.
Husson finished the night shooting 45% from the field and 15-of-47 from three-point range, while dominating the glass with a 67–40 rebounding edge, including 27 offensive boards. Eleven different Eagles scored in the win, and the team combined for 29 assists.
Heald led Husson with 20 points on 9-of-16 shooting, Ahlers posted a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Smith and McCauley each added 12 points. Walston flirted with a triple-double with seven points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in an all-around performance, while Matondo pulled down nine rebounds and added nine points.
Husson returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Saint Joseph's College of Maine in the annual Alumni Cup at 4 p.m.
