COBLESKILL, N.Y. – The Husson University men's basketball team battled through a fast-paced, back-and-forth North Atlantic Conference contest on Friday evening, but came up just short in a 95-93 loss to SUNY Cobleskill men's basketball at Iorio Gymnasium.
Husson (13-9, 12-3 NAC) set the tone early, jumping out to a quick lead behind efficient shooting and strong play in transition. The Eagles stretched their advantage to as many as 11 points midway through the opening half, using balanced scoring and defensive stops to keep Cobleskill (10-11, 9-6 NAC) from finding a rhythm. Senior Eric Ahlers knocked down a trio of first-half three-pointers, while fellow seniors Ty Henke and Gil Matondo provided energy in the paint as Husson controlled long stretches of play. Despite a late surge from the Fighting Tigers, Husson closed the half on a strong note, highlighted by a steal and fast-break basket in the final 30 seconds, to carry a 45-38 lead into the locker room.
The second half saw momentum swing repeatedly, with neither team able to create separation as the lead changed hands 21 times overall. Husson continued to answer every Cobleskill push, reclaiming the lead multiple times inside the final six minutes behind key baskets from Matondo, Henke and freshman Christian Smith.
In the closing moments, the Eagles still had a chance. After Cobleskill took a two-point lead with 26 seconds remaining, Husson converted both ends of a one-and-one at the free throw line to cut the deficit back to two with 21 seconds left. Following a defensive stop, Husson earned one final possession. Smith drove hard into the lane and got a point-blank attempt at the rim in the final seconds, but the shot rolled off, and a follow-up tip by Ahlers was unable to fall and the Eagles turned the ball over on the ensuing inbounds pass after the rebound went out of bounds, sealing the narrow defeat.
Ahlers led all scorers with 25 points, adding 10 rebounds to finish off a double-double, while Henke added 18 off the bench on 7-of-12 shooting, and Connor Heald chipped in 15 for Husson.
Matondo flirted with a triple-double, contributing 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, while the Eagles shot 44.9% from the field, scored 34 points in the paint and totaled 23 bench points in the tightly contested loss.
Husson will look to bounce back quickly, as it will head to SUNY Delhi for a 1 p.m. contest on Saturday.
