BANGOR, Maine – Maine Maritime Academy (1-10, NAC 0-5) fell just short of defeating #23 Husson University (9-2, 5-0) on Saturday afternoon inside of Newman Gymnasium. The Mariners were within two points with just five minutes remaining in the game, but the Eagles slowly extended their lead picking up the 78-64 win. 

In the opening five minutes, the teams were deadlocked, Husson took an 11-10 lead, but the Mariners responded with eight-unanswered points to go up 18-11. The Mariners held on to a lead until Husson tied things up at 21-21 with 6:30 remaining in the first half.

With just under five minutes remaining, Aaron Willis sunk a three-pointer to give Husson the 26-24 lead, but the Mariners continued to battle. Sophomore Dylan Price (Madison, Maine) scored at the buzzer to give the Mariners a 36-34 lead heading into the half. 

The two teams continued to fight back and forth, and with 9:01 remaining the score was knotted at 55-55. The Eagles jumped out to a 62-56 lead with seven minutes remaining off a Jacob Moore three-pointer. The Mariners fought back cutting Husson's lead to 62-60 with five remaining on baskets from freshman Tyler Thayer (Hermon, Maine) and Brendan Newcomb (Holden, Maine).

With two minutes remaining, the Eagles held a 71-64 lead. Matt Talbot scored five-straight points to put Husson up 76-64, and Raheem Anderson picked up two from the line to make it 78-64, giving the Eagles the victory.

Nick Holt (Ellsworth, Maine) had a game-high 21 points for the Mariners. Thayer and Newcomb each contributed 10 points, while Dylan Stevens (Wells, Maine) added nine.

Trevon Butler and Talbot led Husson with 16 points each. Willis and Eli Itkin contributed 13 points apiece.