FORT KENT, Maine – Maine Maritime men's basketball fell to UMaine-Fort Kent 78-61 Saturday afternoon in a non-conference season opener.

How it Happened: The two teams battled closely in the first five minutes, but the Bengals began to build a lead with a 15-point run that carried a 50-25 advantage going into the half.

The Mariners started the second half with four straight points sparked by Marquis Flegler (Hightstown, N.J.) and continued to cut into UMaine-Fort Kent's lead. The Bengals then went on an eight-point run with 14:05 left to play in the second half and held on for the win.

Inside the Numbers: Malachi Reincke (Houston, Texas) and Curt Heinz (Stuttgart, Germany) led the Mariners in scoring with 12 points each. Reinchke also chipped in nine rebounds, four assists, and a steal, while Heinz, shooting at a 66.6% clip, added six rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block. Carter Rubin (Littleton, Colo.) recorded 11 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.

Aiden Grady led all scorers with 21 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, a block, and an assist, while teammate Julian Hymes chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

The Mariners shot 42.6% from the field, 24% from three point land, and 69.2% from the line, while the Bengals shot 47.5% from the floor, 43.8% from beyond the arc, and 72.2% from the line.

Up Next: The Mariners fall to 0-1 overall and the Bengals improve to 1-1 on the year. The Mariners return to action on Friday, November 12 at 6:00 pm when they travel to Massachusetts for a non-conference matchup against Lesley College.