CASTINE, Maine – Maine Maritime Academy Men's Basketball fell in another heartbreaker to New England College on Saturday afternoon, 64-58 inside of Smith Gymnasium. 

The Mariners fought back from an early 11-2 deficit, to take a 29-23 lead at 4:07, following a 12-point run, led by two timely 3-pointers from Brendan Newcomb (Holden, Maine). The Pilgrims scored two of their own 3-pointers in the final minutes of the half to close the Mariner lead to 32-29.

In the second half the two teams exchanged the lead back and forth before the Pilgrims went on an eight-point run to build a 60-51 lead with 2:15 remaining. The Mariners answered back with a pair of free throws from Zachary Radcliffe (Rumford, Maine) and five points from Nick Holt (Ellsworth, Maine) to close the lead to 60-58, the Pilgrims were strong from the line in the final seconds, making all four of their shots, to clinch the 64-58 victory.

Holt led the Mariners with 18 points and two assists, while Newcomb added 12 points, three assists, two rebounds, and a steal. Tyler Thayer (Hermon, Maine) and Jason Hatch (Islesboro, Maine) each contributed nine points, with Hatch adding a game-high 11 rebounds.

Dezron Wilson led the way for the Pilgrims with 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a steal, while teammate Joel DeMadet added 16 points, five rebounds, and a steal, and Ryan Schmitz tallied 10 points, four steals, three assists, and a rebound.

With the loss, the Mariners fall to 2-19 overall and 1-13 in North Atlantic Conference play, while the Pilgrims improve to 11-10 overall and 8-6 in the conference.

The Mariners return to action next Friday, February 13, when they travel to Johnson State.