Castine, ME - The Lady Mariners put together one of their finest defensive efforts of the season and it couldn't have come at a better time as they defeated the Beavers from UMaine Farmington 56-34 in North Atlantic Conference action Saturday. The game also marked the final regular season home game for three Lady Mariners, Katie Pushard (Winthrop, ME), Katie Hutchinson (Dixfield, ME), and Jess Stahl (Bowdoin, ME).

With the win MMA improves to 16-9 on the season and 10-4 in conference play while the Beavers fall to 11-13 overall and 8-6 in NAC play. MMA secures the #3 seed in the upcoming play-offs and will square off against Thomas on Tuesday while the Beavers take the #4 seed and will host Lyndon on Tuesday.

The Lady Mariners jumped all over the Beavers from the start of the game and held UMF to four points in the first 9:30 of the contest leading 17-4. MMA increased their lead to 30-15 with 4:07 left after an offensive rebound and put back by Leah Jackson (Dedham, ME). MMA scored one more time and took a 32-17 advantage into the break.

The second half was the much the same for MMA as they forced UMF into tough shots while increasing the lead to as many as 27 points (48-21). Farmington ended the game on a 13 to 8 run but it wasn't enough as the Lady Mariners ran away with the 22-point victory.

Eleven players scored for MMA with Samantha Goda (Eliot, ME) and Andi Flannery (East Machias, ME) leading the way with nine points each. Leah Jackson continued her torrid pace on the glass collecting 12 more rebounds while Goda snatched nine of her own. Maggie Smith (Bath, ME) led all players with four assists. MMA collected 15 steals and has just 16 turnovers in the game.

Ashley Busque (Belgrade, ME) and Kenni Norton (Strong, ME) each had nine points to pace Farmington while Paige Saunders (Surry, ME) led the Beavers with seven rebounds. 

MMA and UMF celebrated Think Pink Day in an effort to raise awareness for Breast Cancer research. All proceeds made from the game will be donated to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.