BANGOR, Maine — Husson University was ripe for a possible letdown after knocking off perennial Division III power Southern Maine on Wednesday night.
Rather than rest on their laurels, they followed up the win with another well-rounded effort.
Stephanie Comstock scored a game-high 16 points to power Husson University to a 63-41 North Atlantic Conference women’s basketball victory over Maine Maritime Academy Saturday at Newman Gym.
The senior center from Bangor went 7-for-12 from the field and grabbed three rebounds to help provide the Eagles (6-4, 4-1 NAC) with a strong inside presence.
“She’s got the moves down finally and she’s starting to finish,” said Husson coach Kissy Walker. “She’s playing great. I think it’s made a big difference in how we’re playing as a team. Everyone’s got to help on her and it opens up other things for you.”
Chandler Guerrette of Presque Isle contributed 10 points and six rebounds for Husson, which demonstrated its depth and versatility while utilizing 12 players. Samira Cruz and Taylor Blood of Lincoln tossed in nine points each while Vicki McIntyre of Mars Hill posted seven points and six rebounds and Bangor’s Katy Brochu added six points and seven rebounds.
The Eagles won handily despite shooting only 18 percent (4-for-22) from the 3-point line. Husson did a good job taking care of the ball, notching 15 assists while committing only 10 turnovers.
Walker said the win over USM gave the Eagles a nice confidence boost.
“I think they’re feeling like, OK, we can be a good team,” she said.
MMA of Castine (4-8, 1-4 NAC) was its own worst enemy. Coach Craig Dagan’s Mariners committed 20 turnovers that led to 22 points for the Eagles.
Mary Badeen of Newport led MMA with 13 points and seven rebounds and Jillian Perron of Skowhegan logged 13 points and five rebounds. Lauren McKenna chipped in with six points and five rebounds.
The Mariners shot only 31 percent (16-for-52) and hit just one of 13 3-pointers (8 percent).
Husson started strong, scoring the first 10 points of the game, but MMA answered with an 8-0 run of its own. The hosts led only 18-14 with 4 ½ minutes left in the half.
However, the Eagles surged into the locker room behind a 10-0 run that helped them make it 30-17 by intermission.
Comstock opened the spurt with a six-footer from the paint, then Guerrette drained a 3-pointer after the first of three straight MMA turnovers. Cruz hit a nifty one-handed runner in transition and McIntyre scored from close range, then Blood added a foul shot to put Husson’s advantage to 28-14.
The Mariners never got closer than 10 points after that.
Blood eventually scored three consecutive baskets on midrange jumpers to put the game out of reach at 49-28 with 6:09 remaining.
“Those kids play hard and they keep coming at you and they never give up, Walker said of the Mariners. “We just were hoping we could keep pressuring the ball, pushing it and try to wear them down.”