Box Score BANGOR, Maine --- The Thomas College men's basketball team nearly overcame a 23-point second-half deficit, falling to rival Husson University, 87-78, in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) play on Wednesday night.
The Eagles (18-6, 14-3 NAC), who led by as many as 26 in the first half, held a 51-28 advantage at halftime and led 53-30 less than a minute into the second half after Tyler Norris scored a layup at the 19:17 mark.
Thomas (12-12, 8-9 NAC) outscored Husson, 29-16, over the next 11:46 to cut the lead to 10 at 69-59 with 7:31 to play.
Offsetting three-pointers by Husson's Raheem Anderson and Thomas' Dayne Savage (Caribou, Maine / Caribou) followed by a Darryl Wood dunk gave the Eagles a 12-point lead as the clock neared the 4:00 mark. Levi Barnes (Skowhegan, Maine / Skowhegan Area) made three straight baskets for the Terriers, cutting the lead to six points and prompting a timeout from from Husson coach Warren Caruso with 3:10 remaining.
After a missed jumper by Anderson out of the timeout, Tyheem Simon (Far Rockaway, N.Y. / Lawrence) made a layup with 2:29 left to cut the lead to 74-70.
Anderson provided the Eagles' response, going on a 5-0 run to push the lead to nine points before Carlos Gonzalez (Kennebunk, Maine / Lewiston) made a layup with just 1:14 remaining. Forced to foul to conserve the clock and maximize offensive possessions, Thomas was unable to capitalize as Husson missed four straight chances at the charity stripe.
The Terriers' window of opportunity slammed shut with 46 seconds remaining as Trevon Butler converted a pair of free throws. A layup and two free throws from Anderson and another two free throws from Butler helped keep the visitors at arms' length as the final seconds ticked away.
Anderson finished a game-high 23 points for Husson with six rebounds and five assists. He finished 7-of-14 from the field and was a perfect 7-for-7 at the free throw line. Wood added 14 points, seve rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Butler and Zach Curran added 13 points apiece. Butler also tallied six rebounds.
Barnes led the Terriers with 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the field. Simon tallied 19 points off the bench, hitting five of seven shots from the field and nine of 12 at the charity stripe. Adam Carlsen (Rockport, Maine / Camden Hills) finished with 11 points. Savage added nine points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Congzlez had eight points and a team-best seven boards.
After being outshot by 18 percent (51.2-33.3) in the first half, Thomas responded by shooting 57.6 percent in the second half. Overall, the Terriers shot 46.7 percent (28-of-60) from the field compared to the Eagles' 50.0 percent (31-of-62). Husson also won the battle on the boards, 43-26.
Barnes moved past the 400-point mark for the season, marking the third time in his career he has surpassed 400 points in a single season.
Despite the loss, Thomas remains within reach of a first-round home game in the NAC Championship Tournament heading into Saturday afternoon's regular-season finale against Maine Maritime Academy. The game, which will be streamed live by NSN, is scheduled for a 3 p.m. tipoff.
