HENNIKER, N.H. – Maine Maritime Academy women's basketball fell to New England College 57-46 on Friday night, in North Atlantic Conference action.

The Pilgrims held the Mariners to just six points in the first quarter to take 12-6 lead into the second. The Mariners cut the gap to four points twice, early in the second but the Pilgrims took a 25-18 lead into the intermission.

A pair of free throws from Alayne Felix (Mahopac, N.Y.) in the final minute of the third quarter closed New England College's lead to 36-31. Caitlin Kane (Wilton, Maine) sank a three-pointer with 3:41 to play, sparking an 8-2 run by the Mariners to cut the Pilgrim lead to 48-45. The Pilgrims went 7-for-8 from the line in the final 98 seconds of the game to take the 57-46 victory.

Felix led all players with 17 points, while also pulling down five rebounds, two steals, and an assist. Kane ended the evening with 12 points, three rebounds, two steals, and an assist, and Melinda Ogden (Searsport, Maine) tallied a team-leading nine rebounds.

Marjani Lillard led the Pilgrims with 16 points, Utshana Durham scored 12 points, and Tanner Favreau added 10 points. Rene Hudson recorded a game-high 10 rebounds.

The Mariners fall to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the conference, while the Pilgrims improve to 6-2 on the season and 2-1 in the NAC. Maine Maritime returns to action tomorrow against Colby-Sawyer at 3:00 pm.