The win lifts the Huskies’ overall record to 7-5. The loss snaps Husson’s three-game winning streak and drops its record to 4-6 overall.
Battling from behind the entire second half and trailing by a point with just over two minutes left in regulation, Phillips put the Huskies ahead, 75-73, connecting on his second three-pointer of the night after a dish and drive assist from sophomore guard Josh Daniels (Everett, Wash./Maine Central Institute).
The swing in the lead would remain in the Huskies favor the rest of the way as Southern Maine took advantage of a key play from senior forward Jesse McKinnell (Manomet, Mass./Scituate) and a perfect 6-for-6 mark from the free throw line in the final moments of the game to seal the win.
Following Phillips’ three, McKinnell fought his way to an offensive rebound and dropped in the put-back to but the Huskies ahead by five points, 78-73 with 1:25 to play.
In their next two possessions the Eagles whittled the USM lead to one, 78-77, following a lay-up from senior forward Phil White (Temple Hills, Md.) and a pair of free throws from junior guard Jason Harvey (Bucksport, Maine) with just 32 seconds to play.
Forced to foul, Husson sent USM sophomore guard Foster Oakley (Farmington, Maine/Mt. Blue) to the line. Oakley calmly sank both of his attempts to give the Huskies a three-point cushion, 80-77.
Harvey again pulled his team to within a point with a driving baseline lay-up with 10 seconds remaining, but it wasn’t enough as the Huskies’ senior forward Bill Hardwick (Boothbay, Maine/Boothbay Region) and Phillips each connected on a pair of free throws as time ran out for the 84-79 final. Hardwick also came up big defensively for the Huskies blocking a three-point attempt by Husson freshman guard Jordan Heath (Bangor, Maine) following his work at the free throw line.
Daniels led four USM players in double-figures with a game-high 19 points, five rebounds and fours assists. Hardwick added 18 points on a perfect 6-for-6 mark from the field and 4-for-4 mark from the charity stripe, while sophomore guard Andy Frost (Brewer, Maine/Brewer) and Phillips each scored 13 points for Southern Maine.
Junior forward Tyler Muzzy (Greenville, Maine) led Husson with a double-double on 18 points and 10 rebounds, including a 10-for-12 effort from the free throw line. White chipped in with 17 points and nine rebounds, while senior center Buddy Leavitt (Guilford, Maine) and Heath added 16 and 12 points respectively. Harvey finished with nine points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Eagles.
The Huskies shot an outstanding 52.9 percent from the field (27-for-51) for the win and were equally as effective at the charity stripe making 76 percent (19-for-25). Southern Maine also knocked down a season high 11 three-pointers en route to the win. Husson shot just 35.6 percent (26-for-73) from the field.
Southern Maine returns to action at home on Saturday (Jan. 7) against Little East Conference opponent Western Connecticut State. Tip off is scheduled for 3 p.m. Husson returns to action Wednesday (Jan. 11) at 5:30 p.m. in a North Atlantic Conference tilt at Thomas College.