BANGOR, Maine – Maine Maritime Academy women's basketball fell to Castleton University on Friday afternoon, 69-55 in the North Atlantic Conference Semifinals.

Alayne Felix (Mahopac, N.Y.) led all scorers with 21 points, six rebounds, one assist and a steal while Kristi Willey (Topsham, Maine) chipped in with a double-double of 11 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Jade Desroches and Bryanna duPont led the Spartans with 16 points apiece, while Amanda Beatty added 15 points, and Makayla Farrara added 12 points. duPont led Castleton University with eight rebounds, while Desroches led the team with four assists and four steals.

The Spartans opened up the scoring with a layup from Ali Jones, but Willey splashed a three to give the Mariners the one-point lead at 8:28. The Spartans outscored Maine Maritime 19-12 in the first quarter, but the Mariners came on strong in the second quarter to enter the halftime down just 33-25.

Beatty scored five-straight to open up the third quarter, giving the Spartans a 38-25 lead. Two free throws from Felix at 6:26 brought the Mariners within eight points (41-33), but Lindsay Sabo sank a three to give the Mariners an 11-point lead and Morgan Raiche made a layup to close out the third quarter, giving the Spartans a 55-41 lead.

Four-straight points from Felix and a three from Megan McLean (Eliot, Maine) brought the Mariners within 12 points at 4:09. The Mariners closed the gap to 12 points again with 1:38 remaining, but the Spartans hung on the claim the semifinal victory and the right to advance to the NAC Championship.

The Mariners conclude their season with an 18-9 record, while the Spartans improve to 21-5 and will face the winner of Husson vs. New England College in the NAC Championship tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.

2016 NAC All-Tournament Team:
MVP - Kenzie Worcester, Husson 
Bryanna duPont, Castleton
Makayla Farrara, Castleton
Marjani Lillard, New England College
Victoria McIntyre, Husson
Kristi Willey, Maine Maritime