NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Led by Kenzie Worcester and Logan Huckins, the Husson University women's basketball team (5-5) upset No. 8-ranked University of Chicago (9-2) in the Music City Classic hosted by Trevecca Nazarene University, 64-59, on Sunday afternoon. This marks the first win over a nationally ranked team for the Eagles since joining the NCAA.
Following a pair of free throws by Worcester, the senior guard became the leading scorer for the women's basketball program at Husson since joining the NCAA while also becoming the second-most leading scorer in program history with 1541 career points after the win.
1st Half:
After trailing UChicago in the opening 13 minutes, Huckins stepped up to the free throw line and drained the bucket marking the turnaround point of the game as the Eagles took control, 17-16, and never looked back. Husson opened up the second quarter scoring ten unanswered points to break ahead of the Maroons, 21-16, with 5:47 left in the half, crediting five points to Worcester.
With 3:19 on the clock, UChicago's Jamie Kockenmeister evened the score 23-23, before Husson added on three jumpers to once again separate themselves by a long bucket, 29-26, going into halftime.
2nd Half:
Nearly three scoreless minutes passed in the beginning of the third quarter before the Eagles broke off on their second 10-0 run of the afternoon off a layup, free throw combo by Huckins, 39-26. The Eagles continued to maintain a commanding separation into the fourth quarter as they maintained at least a nine-point advantage until the final seven minutes of the game when Alison Gill cut the deficit to eight points off a layup and foul shot, 50-42.
The Maroon began closing in even more in the final three minutes as they found their second wind with a 9-2 run to bring the score to a close 59-56 from the charity stripe with just one minute remaining in regulation. As seconds ticked off the clock, UChicago came within a bucket of Husson off a 3-pointer by Mia Farrell, 61-59, but the Eagles continued to push back with a pair of points drained behind the charity stripe by both Worcester and Huckins to secure the 64-59 upset.
HUSSON Leaders:
Worcester had a record-breaking game with her 23 points, shooting 100% (6-6) from the charity stripe along with her seven rebounds and three steals.
Huckins recorded the best game of her career, netting a whopping 19 points while shooting 7-9 from the free throw line.
Megan Peach led all players in boards, grabbing a total of 12 by the end of the game, tying her game-high, along with an impressive six blocks.
UCHICAGO Leaders:
Farrell led her teammates on the scoreboard with 18 points including five 3-pointers.
Olariche Obi nearly acquired a double-double with a combined 11 boards and eight points.
Kockenmeister added on 13 points and seven rebounds.
UP NEXT!
The Husson women's basketball squad will take a weekend road trip to UMaine-Presque Isle next weekend to battle the Owls in a pair of matches on December 4th and 5th. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday.