CASTINE, Maine – Maine Maritime Academy men's basketball fell to Castleton University 62-42 on Saturday afternoon in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) action inside of Smith Gymnasium.

With the loss the Mariners fall to 3-16 overall and 2-10 in the conference, while the Spartans improve to 10-9 on the season and 7-5 in the NAC. Maine Maritime returns to action on Friday, February 2 at Colby-Sawyer College. 

The two teams exchanged baskets to open up the game, until the Mariners used a 7-2 run to take an 11-6 lead. The Spartans tied the game up and took a 12-point lead at 4:03. The chipped away at the deficit and entered the half down by eight, 34-26.

Adam Richardson (Bradley, Maine) led all players in the first half with 14 points, while Casey Belade led the Spartans with nine points. 

Castleton scored six-unanswered points to open up the second half, and never looked back, claiming the 62-42 victory.

Richardson scored a game-high 18 points to lead Maine Maritime, shooting a perfect 8-for-8 rom the floor, and also added seven rebounds, an assist and a steal and Nicholas DePatsy (Waldoboro, Maine) contributed 11 points, three assists and two rebounds.

Belade led Castleton with 14 points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal, while both Josh Hanson and Tondi Mushandu chipped in with 12 points.

Castleton shot 49.1 percent from the floor, while Maine Maritime shot 33.3 percent. The Spartans also held a 37-28 advantage in rebounds.