WENHAM, MA. - In their season opener, Husson University lost to Gordon College 61-59 on a 3-pointer with 50 seconds to play.  Aaron Trigg (Sr., Overland Park, KS) gave Gordon a lead they would not relinquish for the win.

The visiting Eagles took a 53-50 lead with 6:38 to play on a 3-pointer from Brock Bradford (Sr., Kenduskeag, ME). Husson retained that lead until the final minute when Husson turned the ball over with 1:00 to play and Trigg answered with the three-pointer.

It was a contested battle throughout, as both teams shot poorly and struggled to take care of the basketball. The Eagles jumped out to an early 16-5 lead spearheaded by Matt MacKenzie and Brock Bradford. Gordon battled back, helped largely by scrappy play from newcomer David Dempsey who finished with 8 points and a game high 11 rebounds. Dempsey hit a jump shot at the elbow to give Gordon a 30-29 lead at the break.

In the second half, the Scots seemed to be taking control early, as strong inside play from Greg Walker and Dempsey put Gordon up 43-37 with 15:07 remaining. However, Gordon's offense went cold again, and scored only 6 points over the next 8 minutes. Husson took the lead on Bradford's 3-pointer with 6:38 to play and led 57-53 at the 3:00 mark after Jay Uhrin drained 2 free throws.

Gordon tried  to rally, but Greg Walker, Brady Bajema, and Jeff Derr all missed quality scoring opportunities before Walker hit a putback at the 1:10 mark to pull Gordon to 57-55. On the ensuing possession, the Eagles' Joshua Jones was called for an illegal screen. Gordon quickly capitalized, as Bajema found Trigg wide open in the corner for the decisive shot.

The game was still in doubt with Gordon clinging to a 1-point lead, but Husson's Jay Uhrin missed the front end of a 1-and 1 with 20 seconds remaining. Bajema hit 2 free throws to put Gordon up 60-57. Matt MacKenzie (17 points) managed to pull Husson within a point with 5 seconds remaining, but Husson was forced to foul Bajema. He sank one free throw to put Gordon ahead 61-59, and Brock Bradford's running 35-footer glanced high off the backboard at the buzzer.

Aaron Trigg led Gordon with 17 points, while Walker contributed 12. Gordon held a 52-33 rebounding advantage, which helped make up for their 21 turnovers.

Husson University returns to action when they play Rochester Institute of Technology at 6PM on November 21^st at Plattsburgh State.