FARMINGTON – Husson University outlasted University of Maine at Farmington 77-73 in overtime in North Atlantic Conference men’s basketball action tonight in Dearborn Gymnasium.
The Beavers dropped to 8-10 overall and 6-3 in the NAC, while the Eagles improved to 10-9 (7-1). Farmington is scheduled to host Maine Maritime Academy Saturday with the men at 1 p.m. and the women to follow. Husson is scheduled to travel to Thomas College Saturday.
In a game that featured 15 ties, Husson outscored the Beavers 5-0 over the final 1:16 of the extra session to take the win. Matt MacKenzie (Warren, ME) collected the game winning basket with eight seconds left, but Farmington had chances in the waning moments. After an errant inbound pass by the Beavers, Brock Bradford (Kenduskeag, ME) drained a pair of free throws with three seconds remaining for a 76-73 lead. Farmington’s Andrew Dean (Gorham, ME) had a chance to make a free throw and intentionally miss the second with 1.3 seconds left, but the first attempt missed and Husson held on for the win.
Eric Taylor (Oakland, ME) notched a double-double for Farmington with 20 points and 10 rebounds as did Josh Tanguay (Gorham, ME) with 15 points and 11 caroms. Ted Neil (Strong, ME) added 16 points.
Bradford finished with 23 points for Husson with MacKenzie pitching in 20 points. Nick Perras (Lancaster, NH) chipped in 18 points and supplied a pair of free throws at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime.
The Beavers built an 18-9 advantage 7:27 into the game, but the Eagles climbed back into the contest. Husson knotted the game at 22-22 with 7:39 until intermission and the lead was volleyed back and forth for the rest of the frame with the two teams tied at 34 at halftime.
The even action continued into the second half until its swayed the Eagles’ way midway through the period. A Perras layup with 4:52 to play gave Husson a 62-56 advantage. The Beavers tied the contest on two occasions before a Neil 3-pointer with 2:10 left gave Farmington a 67-64 edge.
