FARMINGTON, Maine -- Husson University held off the University of Maine at Farmington 58-57 in North Atlantic Conference women's basketball action tonight at Dearborn Gymnasium.
The Beavers (9-14 overall, 8-9 NAC) are scheduled to complete their regular season on Saturday against Thomas College (women's game at 1 p.m., men to follow). The Eagles improved to 13-10 (13-3) and are slated to host Johnson State College Friday at 5:30 p.m.
UMF's Emma Morrison (Saco, Maine) tallied a career-high 21 points, including five 3-pointers, to lead all scorers. Holly Oliver (Belgrade Lakes, Maine) turned in 10 points, game-high nine rebounds and five assists in the loss, while Rachel Clement (Gray, Maine) scored nine points.
Murray scored 19 points to lead the Eagles, while Amanda Gifford (Lee, Maine) chipped in 11 points and Marissa Albert (Fort Kent, Maine) provided 10 points. Murray made the game-winning layup with 1:10 left in the contest and knocked down a pair of free throws with 11 seconds left.
After three ties in the early goings, Husson took a 22-16 lead with 7:55 left to play in the opening half. Behind 12 points from Morrison, including a left-handed jumper at the buzzer, the Beavers were able to knock the deficit down to 28-27 at intermission.
The Eagles led by seven points on three occasions in the second half with the last coming on a Gifford putback with 7:21 to play to make it 51-44. UMF scored the game's next five points with a Lindsay Ranquist (Owls Head, Maine) basket drawing the hosts to 51-49 with just over four minutes left.
Husson kept the Beavers at a one-possession distance until Morrison buried a 3-pointer with 1:27 remaining to give UMF a 55-54 lead. Murray followed with a layup to swing the lead back to Husson at 56-55.
After an UMF turnover, Murray converted a pair of free throws with 11 seconds to go to make it 58-55 in favor of the Eagles. The Beavers couldn't get off a three in their last possession, settling for a Morrison layup and then unable to foul before the final buzzer with Husson taking the 58-57 win.
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| Emma Morrison | Holly Oliver | Rachel Clement | Kenni Norton | Lindsay Ranquist |