Posted: Feb 25, 2014
Top-seeded Husson University men's basketball hosted eighth-seeded Johnson State College in a North Atlantic Conference Quarterfinal on Tuesday night at Newman Gymnasium. Husson pulled off a convincing 88-55 win and earned home court advantage for the semifinals and final of the NAC Men's Basketball Tournament on Friday and Saturday.With the win, Husson improves to 24-2, while Johnson finishes the season at 6-20.
Johnson jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead off jumpers from Cory Chase and Bryan Hickey . Husson responded with scores from Corey Wood and Phil Leighton to tie it, but Chase and Hickey put the Badgers in front again. At 12:52, the Eagles took their first lead of the game, 13-12, off a Dan Fleming jumper, and that lead would hold for the rest of the half. Husson led by as much as 12 points when Trevon Butler sunk a three with 45 seconds left in the half, and the Eagles headed into halftime up 38-24.
Butler put up 10 first-half points for the Eagles, and Leighton added nine. Leighton and Fleming each grabbed five rebounds, as well. Hickey led the field with 11 first half points for the Badgers, while Ron Adrian registered five first half rebounds. Defense ruled for both teams, as Husson shot 39.5% from the field and Johnson shot 33.3%.
The Eagles pulled away in the second half, leading by 27 points with 13:20 to play. With 10 minutes remaining in the game, Husson was outscoring the Badgers 23 to 5. Husson continued its second half dominance and came away with the win, 88-55.
Leighton had a big night for the Eagles, finishing with 16 points and six rebounds. Butler scored 12 and grabbed six rebounds, as well, and Fleming ended up with a game-high eight rebounds. Husson improved their shooting to 69.2% in the second half, as opposed to Johnson's 20%.
For the Badgers, Hickey scored 16 points and grabbed five rebounds. Adrian also picked up five rebounds on the night.
Husson will host the NAC men's basketball final four this weekend and will next face Lyndon State in a Friday night semifinal.