Bangor, Maine – Castleton managed just three points in the final two minutes and Husson hit its free throws down the stretch to finish with a 69-64 victory on Friday evening in a battle for first place in the North Atlantic Conference. 

The Spartans committed 21 turnovers including two in the final minutes as they dropped into second place in the NAC at 9-2 and 11-7 overall. Husson shot just 38.6 percent from the floor but his nine triples as the team improved to 9-1 in conference action and 15-2 on the year. 

Castleton shot 41.9 percent from the floor and out rebounded the Eagles 32-26 on the evening. Troy Davine led the Spartans with a game-high 18 points, including three shots from beyond the arc, along with four rebounds and three steals. Chad Copeland was held to just nine points but pulled down 11 rebounds. Logan White was in double figures with 12 points and two steals. 

Husson had seven different players score at least seven points in a balanced effort, led by Eli Itkin with 12 points and two blocks. Aaron Willis was the only other Eagle in double figures, with ten. Corey Wood was solid in 22 minutes off the bench with seven points, seven assists and two steals. 

The first half was a back-and-forth; with Castleton taking an 18-15 lead with 13:20 left after a three from Rob Coloutti and a jumper from Jahnathan Mitchell. Husson responded with the next six points and extended its lead to 26-22 on a three from Phil Leighton with 8:35 left. The Eagles stretched their lead as high as six over the final eight minutes before a jump shot from Casey McGraw with four second left cut it to a 36-32 halftime deficit. 

The second half was as close and physical as the first as the two teams battled it out. Husson extended its lead to 52-44 with 11:14 left and then made it 54-48 on a three from Donte Cottonham as the shot clock expired two minutes later. 

Castleton pulled within two with just over four minutes remaining at 61-59, but Leighton extended the lead to 64-59 with another three at 3:56. Husson maintained its advantage and Mike Gonzales put the Eagles up 66-61 with 30 seconds left. Castleton immediately responded with a Davine three-pointer to cut the deficit to 66-64 with 22 seconds remaining. The Spartans turned the ball over on their next possession and Husson went 3-for-4 from the line in the last 19 seconds to secure the win. 

The Spartans return to action on Saturday when they face Maine Maritime at 3 pm.