Bangor, ME – Husson University men's basketball opened their 2015 North Atlantic Conference slate with a victory over Maine Maritime Academy, 78-64, at Newman Gym on Saturday afternoon. The victory marked Coach Warren Caruso's 400th career win and improved the 23rd-ranked Eagles to 9-2 (5-0 NAC). The Mariners fall to 1-10 (0-5 NAC) with the loss.

In the opening five minutes, the teams were deadlocked, Husson went up 11-10, and MMA responded with eight unanswered points to gain an 18-11 lead. The Mariners held the lead until a Josiah Hartley (Bangor, ME) layup tied things up at 21-21 with 6:30 remaining on the clock. With just under five minutes remaining, an Aaron Willis (New York, NY) three-pointer gave Husson the lead at 26-24, but the teams continued to battle. Dylan Price (Madison, ME) scored at the buzzer to give the Mariners a 36-34 lead heading into the half.

Both teams kept it close in the second half, 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 (Hampden, ME) three. MMA fought back to 62-60 with five remaining with baskets from Tyler Thayer (Hermon, ME) and Brendan Newcomb (Holden, ME).

With two minutes remaining, the Eagles held a 71-64 lead. Foul shots from Matt Talbot (Portland, ME) increased the lead to 73-64, and Talbot sunk a jumper and one more foul shot to put Husson up 76-64. Raheem Anderson (Miramar, FL) sunk two more from the line to make it 78-64, and the Eagles walked away with the victory.

Trevon Butler (Waterbury, CT) and Talbot led Husson with 16 points each. Willis and Eli Itkin (Pawtucket, RI) contributed 13 points apiece.

For the Mariners, Nick Holt (Ellsworth, ME) had a game-high 21 points. Thayer and Newcomb each contributed 10 points.

Husson will next face the University of Maine-Farmington in another home NAC contest on January 13 at 7:30 PM. Maine Maritime will host Thomas on Tuesday, also at 7:30 PM.