LYNDONVILLE, Vt. – The Husson University men's basketball team got career-high scoring games from junior Andre McCauley and sophomore Connor Heald and put three players over 20 points in a 113-99 North Atlantic Conference victory over Vermont State University Lyndon on Sunday afternoon in Vermont.
In a chaotic first half between Husson (9-5, 8-1 NAC) and Lyndon (5-10, 3-5 NAC) that saw 10 ties and 10 lead changes in an evenly contested matchup, looked as if the Eagles would head into the halftime break with the lead after McCauley split a pair of free throws with 1:35 remaining to give Husson a 46-43 lead.
The Hornets would have a different idea in mind, as they scored the final seven points of the opening frame to take a four-point lead of their own into the locker room.
McCauley was electric in the opening half, as he tallied 19 to lead all scorers, while also recording the final nine points of the period for the Eagles, who shot an even 50% from the floor in the first half.
It looked as if Lyndon was going to use its late first half and early second half momentum to take control of the game, as it led 60-51 just over two minutes into the second half, but Husson was able to respond.
The Eagles quickly got themselves back into the game and back into possession of the lead with a 13-0 run that took just over two minutes to take a 64-60 edge, as Heald and senior Eric Ahlers tallied 11 of the 13 points for Husson during the spurt.
That lead change would be the final of the contest, as the Hornets were able to tie the game up three times before the midway point of the final period, but Husson slowly and methodically built up its lead, managing to get the advantage up to as many as 15 during a 67-point second half, before knocking down free throws late in the game to salt away its 18th win in the past 19 matchups against Lyndon.
McCauley posted a team and career-high 29 to lead the Eagles, while also recording six rebounds and four assists.
Heald also set a new career mark for points with 26 on an efficient 10-14 shooting, in addition to adding seven boards, while Ahlers recorded another double-double with 22 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in just 26 minutes of action.
Senior Gil Matondo posted another quality performance with 16 points on 7-11 shooting, while sophomore Dylan Burpee put together a strong performance with a career-high 10 rebounds and three steals and freshman Christian Smith dished out a career-high seven assists.
The Eagles shot a season-high, nearly 59% for the game, including a fiery 66.7% from the floor in the second half, while connecting on 20 of 24 shots from the foul line and nearly 50% from beyond the arc.
Husson outrebounded Lyndon 46-26, recorded 25 assists and posted 58 points in the paint in an all-around brilliant offensive performance.
The Eagles return home for another NAC back-to-back this coming weekend, as they will host Thomas College on Friday night at 5:30 p.m.
