BANGOR, Maine – The Husson University men's basketball team delivered a historic offensive performance on Saturday afternoon, erupting for 122 points in a 122-80 North Atlantic Conference victory over Vermont State University Johnson at Newman Gymnasium in its regular-season finale.
Husson (16-9, 15-3 NAC) set a new season-high in points and posted its highest point total since December of 2008 when it dropped 123 points on the University of Maine-Presque Isle. Additionally, the Eagles broke program records for assists in a game with 30 and three-pointers made in a game with 22.
Husson shot a blistering 55.8% from the field and 45.8% from three-point range, while assisting on 30 of its 48 made baskets, as the Eagles never trailed and led by as many as 44 in the second half.
The tone was set early. Senior Gil Matondo opened the scoring with a layup in the paint before fellow seniors Ty Henke and Charlie Katsiaficas drained back-to-back three-pointers to give Husson an 8-0 cushion. Senior Eric Ahlers followed with a triple of his own, and moments later classmate Bryce Tackett buried another from deep to push the advantage to 14-0 less than four minutes into the contest.
The Eagles' pressure defense fueled the early run, turning defensive stops into transition threes. Henke continued the barrage midway through the half with another three off a sophomore Connor Heald assist, and Ahlers knocked down his second fastbreak triple to stretch the margin to 17-2.
Johnson (0-25, 0-18 NAC) briefly cut the deficit to 10 behind strong individual efforts from Jason Baker, but Husson quickly responded. Sophomore Dylan Burpee converted a pair of offensive rebounds into points, Henke threw down a dunk in traffic, and Christian Smith hammered home a fastbreak dunk to reestablish control.
The closing minutes of the half showcased Husson's depth. Heald drilled back-to-back transition buckets, including a three-pointer at the buzzer, sending the Eagles into halftime with a commanding 55-32 lead.
Husson shot 56.4% in the opening 20 minutes and connected on 11 three-pointers before the break.
The second half was more of the same. Ahlers opened the period with consecutive three-pointers, Matondo added a pair from beyond the arc, and Henke connected from deep to push the lead past 30 within the first five minutes. Husson's ball movement and pace overwhelmed the Badgers, as the Eagles tallied 35 fastbreak points and 31 points off turnovers on the afternoon.
Ahlers led Husson scorers with 24 points on 6-of-13 shooting from three-point range while adding six assists. Henke finished with 18 points, Matondo recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and freshman Derrick Carroll provided a spark off the bench with 16 points in just 10 minutes, including three late three-pointers. Heald chipped in 14 points, Smith added 11, and Burpee contributed 10 as Husson's bench poured in 56 points.
The Eagles dominated the glass 49-35, scored 48 points in the paint, and dished out 30 assists in one of their most complete offensive efforts of the season.
Prior to the start of the game, Husson honored its senior class of Eric Ahlers, Charlie Katsiaficas, Bryce Tackett, Gil Matondo and Ty Henke.
The Eagles end the regular season in second-place in the NAC and will wait to find out their semifinal opponent on Sunday, Feb. 22, which will take place at Newman Gymnasium with the time to be determined.
