BANGOR, Maine -- Husson University men's basketball extended its winning streak to eight games as they posted a 57-52 win over  North Atlantic Conference opponent University of Maine at Farmington, Wednesday night at Newman Gymnasium.

With the win, Husson improves to 22-2 overall, 16-1 NAC, while UMaine-Farmington falls to 10-14, 8-9 NAC.

Senior center Ben Johnson paced UMaine-Farmington with 18 points on a 7-of-9 shooting effort from the floor, and completed the double-double with 12 rebounds. Senior Andrew Dickey added nine points for the Beavers, while senior Sam Leal chipped in with six points off the bench.

Phil Leighton closed out the night with a team-high 13 points and five rebounds for Husson, and teammate Trevon Butler scored 11 points.

In the first half, Husson pulled out to a 7-0 lead before UMaine-Farmington got on the board. Husson continued to lead throughout the half, but UMF gained some traction at the 21-15 mark with seven minutes left on the clock. The Beavers brought it within two points at 24-22 on a Nate Carson 3-pointer, but Corey Wood and Leighton stepped up for Husson and extended the lead to seven again. UMF continued to fight, but the Eagles headed into halftime with a 31-26 lead.

A Leighton jumper broke a scoreless opening three minutes to start the second half, and Donate Cottonham sunk a three to give Husson a ten point lead.

UMaine-Farmington fought back to 36-31 with five points from Johnson, but Husson saw points from Butler and Mike Gonzales to extend the lead again. The Eagles led 45-34 with just over ten remaining in the game.

The Beavers again battled to within three points with five minutes left on the clock, and then got within a point off a Johnson jumper.

Farmington took its first lead of the game at 50-49 off another jumper by Johnson, with an assist from Sam Leal. Husson regrouped during a timeout and responded with a basket from Butler. Dickey immediately answered for the Beavers, with Leighton replying for Husson to give the Eagles a lead with 2:01 left on the clock.

Butler came up with a huge steal for the Eagles as the clock wound down, and Wood sunk a free throw to put the Eagles up 55-52. Aaron Willis closed out the win with two made foul shots in the waning seconds.

UMaine-Farmington will finish the 2013-14 regular season on Saturday, Feb. 22, when it hosts Maine Maritime Academy at Dearborn Gym. Husson will wrap up its regular season campaign on the road against Thomas at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.

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