HENNIKER, N.H. – Maine Maritime Academy Men's Basketball fell to New England College 81-67, on Friday night in North Atlantic Conference play.

New England College jumped out to the early 13-point lead before the Mariners battled back to close the deficit to 23-20 with six minutes remaining in the half. The Pilgrims used five-straight points from Dezron Williams to close out the half with a 40-34 lead.

The Pilgrims shot 64.3 percent from beyond the arc in the second half, including threes in eight of their first nine scores, to claim the victory. 

Freshman Tyler Thayer (Hermon, Maine) led the Mariners with a team-high 16 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Nick Holt(Ellsworth, Maine) added 11 points, four assists and three rebounds, and Brendan Newcomb (Holden, Maine) finished with 10 points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal. Tyler Gilson (Thomaston, Maine) led all rebounders with eight boards, adding eight points off the bench.

CJ Capilets finished the night with a game-high 28 points on 8-for-13 shooting from beyond three-point range to lead the Pilgrims, while Jonathan Byrnes chipped in 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds, and Dezron Wilson finished with 12 points and six rebounds. 

The loss drops the Mariners to 1-12 on the season and 0-7 in the NAC. With the win the Pilgrims improve to 7-7 overall and 4-3 in conference play.

Maine Maritime will take on Colby-Sawyer College tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.