BANGOR, Maine – The Husson University Men's Basketball team defeated the University of Maine at Farmington, 69-58, in the North Atlantic Conference Semifinals on Saturday afternoon inside Newman Gymnasium, advancing them to the NAC Championship.
The Eagles (20-7) came out of the gates hot, going on an early 9-0 run and getting an 11-point lead, but the Beavers (13-13) answered right back and were able to narrow the deficit back down to single digits at the end of the half.
Graduate student Scott Lewis was a factor in the first half for Husson, scoring eight points, shooting 2-2 from behind the arc and blocking two shots.
Early in the second half, Farmington was able to cut the deficit to four but the Eagles were able to regain a double-digit lead courtesy of an 8-0 scoring outburst, which was highlighted by a thunderous fast break dunk from sophomore Tope Alao and a big three-pointer from Lewis, to take a 44-32 midway through the final period.
Husson would get the lead up to as much as 19 in the final 20 minutes, as the Beavers never cut the lead below double-figures.
Senior guard Riles Neff's 13-point second half helped propel the Eagles to victory, while also tallying seven rebounds and four steals.
Lewis finished the contest with 14 points, while also adding six rebounds and three blocked shots.
Junior Gil Matondo and graduate student Jeremy Moronta both finished the contest in double-figures with 12 and 11, while Moronta also added five rebounds and five assists and Matondo hauled in six boards.
Husson's perimeter defense was strong all afternoon, limiting Farmington to just 20% from behind the arc.
Husson shot 41.2% from the floor as a unit and limited the Beavers to just two fast break points in the contest.
The Eagles advance to their second-consecutive NAC title game and the third in the past four years and will be looking to defend their conference title and win their 10th conference crown since 2009.
With the win the Eagles advanced to the NAC Championship, where they will host Vermont State University Johnson out of the west division on Saturday at 1 p.m.
