Lewiston, Maine - Bates College turned a 12-point deficit into a thrilling three-point triumph as the Bobcats edged in-state rival Husson University, 64-61, in a Tuesday night thriller in front of a raucous Alumni Gymnasium crowd.

The visiting Eagles (3-3) came out soaring, concocting a game-high 12-point surplus, as a Roxanne Sasse three-pointer made the score 17-5 Husson with 1:38 remaining in the initial frame. Trailing by 10 heading into the second quarter, Bates edged its guest by three (21-18) in the session to slice the Eagles' lead to seven (35-28) at the break.

After a third period that saw Husson escape with a nine-point cushion, it would be the Bobcats' to turn on the offense over the final 10:00. Down by a score of 54-45 at the start of the final stanza, the home team unleashed an 14-4 surge to secure its first lead of the night (59-58), courtesy of a three-pointer from Morgan Kennedy (Oklahoma City, Okla.) with 3:55 remaining.

Husson's Vanessa Duarte countered with a three-ball of her own at 2:59, putting the Eagles back up by a 61-59 score. Meghan Graff (South Portland, Maine) provided the contest's only stalemate of the evening as the preseason All-American knotted the score at 61-apiece with a driving layup with 2:07 left.

With score still tied, it would be Graff that would put the Bobcats ahead for good as the senior sank one of two free throw efforts, inching Bates ahead with 48 ticks remaining. A pair of successful shots at the charity stripe from Kennedy at the 14-second mark seemingly sealed the garnet and white's first win of the year in Alumni Gym.

With just one second to go, Carly Price's attempt for Husson heroics proved to be futile as the junior's three-point shot at the buzzer was blocked by Jenna Berens (Sr.-Durham, Conn.), sending the Bates' faithful into a frenzy.

Kennedy dazzled in the triumph, leading all players with a career-high 25 points in 32 total minutes. The junior went 7-for-14 from the floor while connecting for five three pointers and 6-of-9 free throw attempts. Davina Kabantu (Portland, Maine) provided tremendous energy and grit in her 17 minutes off the Bobcats bench as the junior buried a career-high 13 points, to go along with five boards and three thefts, before fouling out with 1:37 left.

Graff completed the night with 19 points, four rebounds, and a team-high four helpers. Kayla Bridgeman (Sr.-Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Elsa Daulerio (Fy.-Harpswell, Maine) dominated the glass with 11 and 10 rebounds, respectively, in the win.

Husson's 6-4 junior, Bailey Donovan, finished the night a rebound short of a double-double with 24 points and nine rebounds. A force on both ends of the floor, Donovan also recorded six blocks and three assists before fouling out in the final minute.

The Bobcats (3-2) now prepare for game three of their season-high five-game home stand as Bates hosts Saint Joseph's College (ME) this Thursday night at 6:00 p.m.