BANGOR – Newman Gymnasium in Bangor has been a lively place over the past week or so.

The sound of 13 pairs of sneakers running up and down the floor can only mean one thing: the Husson College women’s basketball team is hungry for another shot at the North Atlantic Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Division III tourney.

A year ago, the Eagles were unbeaten in conference play (21-0) until the final stand: a title-game loss at the hands of rival University of Maine-Farmington on Husson’s home floor.

Coach Kissy Walker’s Eagles return virtually every player from last year’s 23-6 team, including 6-foot-1 sophomore center Annie McIntosh of New Gloucester, 5-8 junior guard Holly Gracie from Frankfort, and 5-10 sophomore point guard Crystal Martin of Calais. They were key elements in last year’s run to the NCAA tourney, which ended with a 73-47 defeat at the hands of the University of Southern Maine, the team that Husson opens with on the road this season.

Also back is 5-11 sophomore Carmen Ballard of Skowhegan.

Walker welcomes the challenge of opening on the road in a hostile environment.

“Starting off with USM this year will be interesting because that’s who we left off with,” she said. “It’ll be a good chance for us to compare some things.”

Walker believes her players will benefit from the experience of last year’s finish.

“Last year we certainly went past the players’ expectations,” she said. “I can only believe that is going to help us.”

Husson will welcome former Nokomis of Newport standout Michelle Murray, who transferred from Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire along with freshman Michelle Post of Presque Isle, Janeen Bell of Newark, N.Y., and Tiffany Hartshorn of Monroe, N.H.

Like last year, the Eagles’ early-season schedule is no picnic.

In addition to facing the nation’s fifth-ranked team in USM at the Huskies’ tournament to open the season, Husson will travel to Brunswick to take on NESCAC power and No. 4-ranked Bowdoin in addition to hosting another NESCAC team, Bates of Lewiston. Husson will also travel to Arizona in late December to play in the Grand Canyon Shootout.

According to Walker, who is entering her 14th season on the Husson bench, upgrading the schedule early in the season will pay off in the end.

“I’m hoping that type of schedule will only help us,” she said after a recent practice. “We need to learn to play competitively and physically tougher.”

Gracie, now a junior and the Eagles’ leading scorer a year ago, seems primed for another strong season.

“I think Holly is a better player than she was two years ago by far,” Walker said. “Her stats may have been better shooting-wise her freshman year, but she plays an overall all-around better game now.”

McIntosh, who hobbled through shin splints most of last year, is healthy and should be a big force in the middle. Leading the Eagles’ fast break will be point guards Martin and Murray.

“Annie’s been working out all preseason, and there’s no sign of any injuries,” said Walker. “Crystal is the type of player that plays only one way: hard. [Sophomore] Steph Noyes is also in good shape.”

Walker also has liked what she has been seeing out of Murray, a 5-7 sophomore, and Post, who stands at 5-5.

“She’s a delight to have around,” Walker said. “She was well-coached by [Nokomis coach] Earl Anderson.”

“Michelle Post is the type of player that makes things happen,” she added. “When she comes in, you’ll see her give the team a bit of a lift.”

After opening at the USM tourney, the Eagles will play five home games in December at the friendly confines of Newman Gym, with the matchup at Bowdoin mixed in, before heading to Arizona.

Husson hosts Bates of Lewiston and Lasell, Mount Ida, Bay Path, and Wheelock, all of Massachusetts. The NAC championship rematch with UMF will come on Jan. 19 in Farmington with the Beavers coming to Bangor on Feb. 2.

Husson Women’s Basketball

2004-05 Schedule

November

USM Tip-off Tournament

19 – vs. TBA, 6 p.m. or 8 p.m.

20 – vs. TBA, 6 p.m. or 8 p.m.

December

1 – Bates, 7 p.m.

4 – Lasell*, 3 p.m.

5 – Mount Ida*, 1 p.m.

8 – Bowdoin, 7 p.m.

11 – Bay Path*, 1 p.m.

12 – Wheelock, 1 p.m.

Grand Canyon Shootout

28 – vs. Albion, tba

30 – vs. Carthage, noon

January

8 – at Castleton State*, 1 p.m.

9 – at Johnson State*, 1 p.m.

11 – Colby, 7 p.m.

14 – Maine Maritime Acad.*, 7 p.m.

19 – at UM-Farmington*, 5:30 p.m.

23 – Lesley*, 1 p.m.

26 – at Thomas*, 5:30 p.m.

31 – at Saint Joseph’s, 5:30 p.m.

February

2 – UM-Farmington*, 7:30 p.m.

5 – at Lesley*, 1 p.m.

6 – at Lasell*, 2 p.m.

9 – Thomas*, 7:30 p.m.

12 – at Maine Maritime Acad.*, 1 p.m.

18 – Elms*, 7:30 p.m.

19 – Becker*, 5 p.m.

*-North Atlantic Conference game