Bangor, ME – Husson University Men's Basketball captured their fourth NAC Championship in six years, their first back-to-back Conference Championship since 2000-2001.
"The game was one of the best games I have ever been a part of. Both teams played at such a high level throughout the game, it was unfortunate that one team had to lose," said Head Coach Warren Caruso after the game.
The Eagles, who are now 10-3 in conference championship games under Coach Caruso, defeated the University of Maine at Farmington 96-89 in overtime on Saturday afternoon.
With the victory Husson clinches an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament, their 10th National Tournament Appearance in the last 20 years, 17thNational Tournament appearance in program history, and the 80th overall for Husson University Athletics.
"We can't say enough about this group. They showed so much heart and passion today to win the Championship," said Caruso.
Both Donte Cottonham (Silver Spring, MD) and Trevon Butler (Waterbury, CT) splashed two early 3-pointers to put the Eagles ahead 12-7 in the first half. The two teams exchanged scores before UMF tied it up at 17-17 on a Nick Hilton jump shot with 9:29 remaining in the half.
The Eagles built a lead at 6:14 remaining on another Cottonham 3-pointer, going up 28-2. The Beavers hung with the Eagles and eventually took the 33- 31 lead on a Garret Clemmer 3-pointer as the two teams headed into the half.
Butler led the Eagles with 11 points in the first half, bringing down 2 rebounds, and adding 3 assists. The Beavers were led by Andrew Dickey and Ben Johnson who had 10 points a piece in the first 20 minutes.
Farmington came out fighting in the second half, going up as much as 9 points with 15:18 remaining in regulation. Husson battled back with 18 combined points from Butler and Phil Leighton (Naples, ME) to recapture a 54-52 lead.
Husson took a 3-point lead into the final minute of regulation, but Pet Sumner sank a jumper and a 3-pointer to tie the game at 79-79 with 5 seconds on the clock, sending the game into overtime.
Farmington answered first in the overtime, when Johnson made a jump shot, however the Eagles responded with nine unanswered points to create an 88-81 lead with a little under 1:30 remaining.
Johnson delivered again for Farmington hitting back-to-back jumpers to close it to 92-89. Husson was sharp from the free throw line when it counted the most, as Corey Wood(Laurel, MD), Leighton, and Dan Fleming(Fairfield, ME) went a perfect 8 for 8 from the line in the final 48 seconds.
Butler ended the afternoon with 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, in route to earning Tournament MVP honors. Leighton was the second leading scorer for Husson with 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists.
"We had a lot of guys make big plays to help us win today," added Caruso.
Johnson grabbed a double double with his 28 points and 20 rebounds, while teammate Garrett Clemmer added 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Beavers.
NAC All-Tournament Team
Chad Copeland - Castleton
David Johnson – Lyndon State
Ben Johnson – Me. Farmington
Sam Leal – Me. Farmington
Corey Wood – Husson University
Trevon Butler (MVP)– Husson University
The Eagles will await their opponent for the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. The NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Selection Show is set for Monday, March 3rd at 12:30 PM.