BANGOR, Maine – The Husson University women's basketball team entered Friday night's contest with Thomas College in a tie for third-place in the North Atlantic Conference and the Eagles used a 21-12 fourth quarter to extend on a two-point lead and pick up a pivotal 69-57 conference victory inside Newman Gymnasium.
Husson (9-6, 8-2 NAC) trailed early in the opening quarter as Thomas (10-5, 6-3 NAC) jumped out to a 17–13 lead behind efficient inside scoring. The Terriers scored on their first two possessions and led for much of the period, while Husson stayed within striking distance behind buckets from freshman Abby Radel and sophomore Saige Evans. Despite multiple lead changes, Thomas closed the quarter with a late basket to maintain a four-point edge.
The second quarter featured another tight stretch of play as Thomas briefly pushed its lead to nine midway through the period. Husson responded with strong defensive pressure and transition opportunities, slowly chipping away at the deficit. Evans attacked the rim, while sophomore Aubrey Kachnovich and senior Danielle Dow helped spark an 18-point quarter for the Eagles. Husson went into halftime down just 32–29 after holding Thomas scoreless over the final two minutes.
Momentum swung in the third quarter as Husson opened on an 9–2 run to take its first lead since the opening minutes. The Eagles shot over 50 percent in the period, with sophomore Lilly Roy knocking down a key three-pointer and Evans continuing to finish inside. Thomas kept pace with timely perimeter shooting, and the teams traded leads throughout the frame before heading into the fourth at 48-45 in favor of Husson after Roy's three-pointer.
The decisive stretch came late in the fourth quarter. With the score knotted at 53 midway through the period, Evans converted a driving layup to give Husson the lead for good. After Deja Hamilton hit a three to briefly pull Thomas within one, Husson answered with poise. Roy sank two free throws with under three minutes remaining, and Kachnovich followed with a jumper in the lane to extend the lead to four. Over the final two minutes, Husson sealed the game with great late-game execution and clutch shooting from the charity stripe to pull away for the 12-point victory.
Evans led all scorers with 18 points while adding 13 rebounds for her fifth-straight double-double, also adding two blocks and two steals, while Roy finished with 15 points and three steals, and Dow contributed nine points and 10 rebounds as Husson improved to 8–2 in conference play.
Husson finished the night shooting 39.7% from the field and an impressive 88.2% from the free throw line, going 15-of-17 at the stripe. The Eagles held a 43–31 advantage on the glass and also forced 18 turnovers and scored 20 points off those miscues, with senior Laela Martinez single-handedly accounting for seven steals, a new career-high.
The Eagles close out a NAC back-to-back against Lesley on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. at home.
