Box Score WATERVILLE, Maine --- Husson University topped Thomas College, 102-85, in North Atlantic Conference men's basketball play on Tuesday night at Larry Mahaney Gymnasium.
The league-leading Eagles (8-3, 6-0 NAC) jumped out to a 16-point first-half lead only to see the Terriers (6-8, 2-5 NAC) mount a furious comeback to tie the game at 62-62 midway through the second half.
Trailing 41-25 with 4:00 to play in the first half, Thomas closed the period on an 8-2 run to cut Husson's lead to 43-33 at the break.
The Terriers continued to chip away at the lead in the second half, drawing energy from back-to-back three-pointers from Adam Carlsen that cut the Eagles' lead to 60-58. After an Eli Itkin hoop pushed the advantage back to four points, Thomas drew even with baskets from Tyheem Simon and Willie Grant.
The Terriers were unable to maintain the momentum, however, as an aggresive Eagles offense continued to attack the hoop and convert at the free throw line. Husson built the lead to 20 points in the games' final minutes before settling in for the 17-point victory.
The Terriers outshot the Eagles, 54.5 percent (36-of-66) to 48.6 percent (34-of-70), in the contest. The real difference came at the free throw line, though, as Husson converted on 27 of 29 attempts - including 23 of 24 in the second half. Thomas finished 9-of-15.
Trevon Butler and Raheem Anderson came on strong in the second half for the Eagles, each scoring 16 points in the frame. Butler was a perfect 10-for-10 at the free throw line and finished with 21 points, while Anderson was 6-of-12 from the field and pulled down five rebounds en route to a 22-point evening.
Eli Itkin added 13 points off the bench and Zach Curran had 12.
Levi Barnes led all players with 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the field. Tyheem Simon added 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting, while Carlos Gonzalez emerged with a 10-point, 15-rebound double-double. Mike Akanji finished with four points, five assists, two blocks and two steals.
The Terriers return to the court on Saturday when they host UMaine-Farmington at 1 p.m. in the fourth of six straight home contests. Husson takes to the road for the first of two trips to Vermont this season. The Eagles face Johnson State at 7:30 p.m. Friday night, then venture to Lyndonville to face Lyndon State at 3 p.m. Saturday.
