SALEM, Va. – The Husson University men's basketball team returned to action for the first time in more than two weeks on Monday afternoon, as it fell to No. 13 Roanoke College in the opening round of the Roanoke College Tournament 91-62.

Husson (5-4) battled the nationally ranked Maroons (7-3) early on, as a jumper from senior Gil Matondo gave the Eagles a 7-6 lead just over two minutes into the contest.

Roanoke quickly gained control of the matchup with a 13-4 spurt to gain an eight-point edge, but the Eagles refused to go away, as they kept the deficit under double-digits for the majority of the opening half.

A three-pointer from sophomore Connor Heald cut the lead down to nine for the Maroons with 2:37 remaining in the opening 20 minutes, but Roanoke ended the frame on a 7-0 run to take a 16-point lead into the halftime break.

The Maroons carried their momentum into the second half and outscored Husson 38-25 in the final frame to cruise to the victory and advance to the championship game of the four-team tournament.

Senior Eric Ahlers posted a career-high 23 points in the defeat to lead all scorers, while also grabbing seven rebounds, while Heald and junior Andre McCauley also posted double-figure point totals with 12 and 10 respectively, in addition to McCauley contributing five assists.

Husson shot better than 35% from the floor, but just 7-28 from three-point range, including just 1-12 in the second half, but did manage to convert on nine of its 13 free throw attempts.

Roanoke doubled up the Eagles on the glass, holding a 56-28 advantage, while also attacking the basket at will, converting at a 25-35 clip from the free throw line.

Husson will look to pick up a win in the consolation game of the Roanoke College Tournament tomorrow afternoon, as it will battle the loser of Wilkes University or Gettysburg College at 12 p.m. on the campus of Roanoke.