Lyndonville, VT - The Northern Vermont University-Lyndon women's basketball team stayed within striking distance of North Atlantic Conference leading Husson University for much of Sunday's game.  Unfortunately for the Hornets, they were unable to overtake the visiting Eagles, falling 62-52.  Husson improves to 14-7 on the season and remains unbeaten in 11 NAC contests.  Lyndon falls to 7-14 overall and 3-8 in conference play.

Both teams struggled to score in the opening minutes.  A pair of jump shots from Lyndon's Alissa Mitchell (Milton, NH) and Husson's Emma Alley were the only baskets in the game's first 6:32.  At that point the Eagles got a jumper from Megan Peach and a three-point goal from Sydney Allen to open up a five point advantage.  The Hornets answered with a layup and a free throw from Alisha Celley (Cabot, VT) and a pair of Lea Crompton (Dunbarton, NH) free throws to tie things but Nicole Tapparo's putback just before the buzzer gave Husson an 11-9 lead after one quarter.

Peach knocked down a three-pointer to open the second quarter and from there Husson gradually extended their advantage until Cassie Urso's three-pointer gave the guests a double figure advantage, 24-14, with 4:34 to go until half.  The Hornets pulled within five points following a three-pointer from Faith Poirier (Portsmouth, NH), but the Eagles made it to the halftime buzzer with a 31-26 lead.

Shaylan Mosher (Newark, VT) opened the second half scoring by connecting from distance to bring Lyndon back within two points.  Husson responded with a Bailey donovan layup and a Sami Ireland jump shot to extend their advantage back to six points.  The lead stayed between five and eight points until Mosher found Celley for an open jump shot to bring the Hornets within 46-42 through three quarters.

Celley scored again to open the fourth quarter and make it a two-point game.  The Eagles then took control with an 8-0 run, capped by an alley three, to up the lead to ten at 54-44 with 6:41 to go.  The Hornets weren't able to get closer than nine points the rest of the way, as Husson came away with the ten point win.

Ireland led Husson with a double double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.  Alley added 12 points and Peach came off the bench to score 11 points and grab nine rebounds.  Celley finished with a game high 18 points and six rebounds to lead the Hornets.  Poirier also reached double figures, finishing with 12 points, while Crompton and Mitchell chipped in with seven assists and five steals respectively.

Husson was 25/64 (39.1%) from the field, including 6/12 from behind the three point arc.  Lyndon was 18/50 (36.0%), including 5/16 from distance.  The difference in the game was on the glass, as Husson owned a commanding 50-25 rebounding advantage.

The Hornets will host SUNY Canton for a pair of games next weekend.  Friday's game will tip at 5:30 pm, while Saturday's game tips at 1:00 pm.