BANGOR, Maine – The Husson University women's basketball team put together a dominant four-quarter performance on Saturday afternoon, defeating Vermont State University Johnson, 76-51, in North Atlantic Conference action at Newman Gymnasium on senior day.
Husson (17-8, 15-3 NAC) never trailed in the contest while holding the Badgers (5-20, 4-14 NAC) to just 9.5% shooting from beyond the arc (2-of-21).
The Eagles established control early in the first quarter. After Johnson evened the score at 2-2, Husson responded with an 8-0 run fueled by strong defense and transition offense. Senior Danielle Dow converted a fastbreak layup off a senior Laela Martinez steal, and sophomore Saige Evans scored twice in the paint to stretch the lead to 10-4 midway through the period. Sophomore Lilly Roy added an offensive rebound putback, and freshman Savannah Lorenz knocked down free throws in the closing seconds to send Husson into the second quarter ahead 19-9.
The Eagles broke the game open in the second quarter, outscoring the visitors 24-5. Freshman Sophia Carnes sparked the surge with a mid-range jumper and later drained a three-pointer off a Lorenz assist to push the margin to 29-9. Lorenz continued to attack the rim, converting a three-point play and adding another bucket inside. Freshman Abby Radel was perfect from the free throw line during the stretch, and Evans capped the half with back-to-back layups in the final minute, giving Husson a commanding 43-14 advantage at halftime.
Johnson showed life in the third quarter, shooting over 64% from the field in the period, but Husson answered each run. Evans scored on a jumper in the lane and later finished a fastbreak opportunity off a Martinez assist. Martinez added a transition layup of her own, and Carnes finished another break in the final minute of the quarter as the Eagles maintained a 54-33 lead heading into the fourth.
In the final period, Husson extended its cushion with balanced scoring. Freshman Sydney Carnes drilled a three-pointer in the final seconds, Dow continued to convert inside, and sophomore Sam Haber provided back-to-back fastbreak finishes midway through the quarter to keep the lead comfortably above 20. The Eagles closed out the 76-51 victory with composure on both ends of the floor.
Evans led the way with 21 points on 10-of-16 shooting while adding five rebounds. Dow finished with 12 points and five boards, while Carnes contributed 10 points off the bench. Lorenz added eight points and six rebounds, and Radel chipped in six points and four rebounds.
Husson dominated the glass 46-28, scored 40 points in the paint, and forced 24 turnovers while converting them into 20 points.
Prior to the start of the game the Eagles honored their senior class of Laela Martinez and Danielle Dow.
With the win, the Eagles end the season in second-place in the NAC and will await the winner of the University of Maine at Farmington and Vermont State University Lyndon in the semifinals on Sunday, Feb. 22, which will take place at Newman Gymnasium with the time to be determined.
