CASTINE, Maine – After trailing by as many as 12 points, Husson University got within a single possession twice in the closing minutes of a North Atlantic Conference (NAC) women's basketball matchup with Maine Maritime. The Eagles' (9-8, 9-2 NAC) comeback bid fell short as the Mariners (9-8, 6-4 NAC) hung on for a 57-53, win Saturday afternoon. The Mariners' victory snapped their two-game skid against the Eagles, and was the first home win over the Eagles since 2008.
In the second half, Husson chipped away at a Maine Maritime lead that had been in double digits several times throughout the game. The Eagles' defense clogged up passing lanes, forcing a spate of Maine Maritime turnovers during a seven-minute scoreless stretch that saw the Eagles climb within three, 48-45. Leah Jackson (Dedham, Maine) finally broke the drought with a jumper from near the top of the key before Husson started sending Sam Goda (Eliot, Maine) to the line. Goda hit four free throws on consecutive possessions to extend the lead to six points. She finished with a game-high 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Husson again cut it to a three-point game with 2:41 left, when Brianna Hanscom (Mattawamkeag, Maine) hit on the front end of a pair making in 54-51. The teams traded missed shots and turnovers until Maggie Smith (Bath, Maine) hit a trifecta with 38 ticks in the contest to make it a six-point affair, 57-51. Amanda Gifford (Lee, Maine) got to the line on the ensuing possession and hit both to make it the 57-53 final with 26 seconds to play. Husson got the ball back with 21 seconds, but their 16th turnover of the day ended the game for the guests.
Goda was one of three Mariners to finish in double-digits in the scoring column. Smith scored 13 to go with five rebounds and three assists. Casey McCloskey (Howland, Maine) had 10 points, seven dimes and three steals. The Mariners converted Husson's 16 turnovers into 14 points. Husson only managed nine points off of MMA's 22 giveaways.
Husson got 13 points from Gifford and Stephanie Comstock (Bangor, Maine). Hanscom finished with a dozen points and six boards, while Kelli Murray (Shawmut, Maine) had 11 points and four assists.
The Mariners set the tone early, jumping out to a 5-0 lead on a lay-up and a trey from Smith on their first two possessions. Maine Maritime used the early momentum to build a 12-point advantage midway through the first half. It was the Mariners' largest lead in the wire-to-wire win.
Husson began chipping away getting it back to a single-digit differential, before McCloskey hit a three to make it 30-19 with 7:13 in the first half. The Eagles' Murray answered with a three of her own on the next trip, only to see MMA's Kari Jones (Nobleboro, Maine) knock down another three 50 seconds later. The Mariners clicked on half of their 10 treys in the first half to carry a 37-29 lead into the locker room.
Maine Maritime returns to action on Tuesday night, picking up the NAC game with Farmington that was suspended because of a power outage. The teams will play approximately 21 minutes of basketball in Smith Gymnasium. Husson returns to action Friday night against Green Mountain.
MAINE MARITIME 57, HUSSON 53
HUSSON (9-8, 9-2)
Amanda Gifford 3-10 5-6 13; Stephanie Comstock 5-13 3-4 13; Brianna Hanscom 3-6 6-8 12; Kelli Murray 5-13 0-0 11; Haley McGee 2-3 0-0 4; Marissa Albert 0-2 0-0 0; Sara Carroll 0-0 0-0 0; Caitlyn Butterfield 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-48 14-18 53.
MAINE MARITIME (9-8, 6-4)
Sam Goda 5-11 6-6 16; Maggie Smith 4-8 3-4 13; Casey McCloskey 4-11 0-0 10; Courtney Dufour 3-6 0-1 9; Leah Jackson 2-6 0-0 4; Kari Jones 1-3 0-0 3; Bekah Campbell 1-3 0-0 2; Casey Everest 0-2 0-0 0; Crystal Clark 0-0 0-0 0; Sydney Robertson 0-0 0-0 0; Jillian Perron 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-50 9-11 57.
Husson........................ 29 24 - 53
Maine Maritime................ 37 20 - 57
3-point goals--Husson 3-12 (Amanda Gifford 2-5; Kelli Murray 1-5; Marissa Albert 0-1; Stephanie Comstock 0-1), Maine Maritime 8-19 (Courtney Dufour 3-6; Maggie Smith 2-5; Casey McCloskey 2-5; Kari Jones 1-3).
Fouled out--Husson-None, Maine Maritime-Bekah Campbell; Leah Jackson.
Rebounds--Husson 24 (Brianna Hanscom 6), Maine Maritime 39 (Leah Jackson 11).
Assists--Husson 8 (Kelli Murray 4), Maine Maritime 15 (Casey McCloskey 7).
Total fouls--Husson 11, Maine Maritime 20. Technical fouls--Husson-None,
Maine Maritime-None.
A-137