CASTINE, Maine – Maine Maritime women's basketball beat NVU-Johnson, 97-48 Saturday afternoon in a North Atlantic Conference (NAC) matchup.

How it Happened: The first five minutes of the game was a competitive matchup, with the Mariners and Badgers trading early buckets. Maria Barela (Albuquerque, N.M.) changed the momentum of the game with a steal and basket to spark a 8-2 run for the Mariners, bringing the score to 16-7 at the end of the first quarter. Lauren Cook (Charlotte, Maine) splashed one of her six threes to start the second quarter and spark a 13-2 run to make the score 31-9 with 7:12 left in the half. Maine Maritime kept their foot on the gas pedal, going into intermission with a score of 42-17.

Cook hit another three to start the second half on a 22-5 run to make the score 64-22 with three minutes left in the third quarter. The Mariners continued to dominate in the fourth quarter, claiming a 97-48 victory.

Inside the Numbers: Cook led the Mariners with 22 points, four rebounds, and one steal. Lauren Plissey (Hermon, Maine) tallied a double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds, along with three assists and three blocks, while Barela recorded 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Sydney Echevarria-Briscoe (Englewood, N.J.) and Erianna Moore (Fitchburg, Mass.) both recorded double-doubles with 13 points and 14 rebounds and 12 points and 14 rebounds respectively. Makenzie Monzon (Orlando, Fla.) added a game-high six assists.

The Badgers were led by Paris Atuahene who tallied 23 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block. Kimora Parker came off the bench scoring nine points, one rebound, a block, and a steal, while Gabriella Wardwell had eight points, and 11 rebounds.

The Mariners shot 44.9% from the floor and 36% from three, while the Badgers shot 22.1% from the hardwood and 15% from beyond the arc.

Up Next: The Mariners improve to 11-2 overall and 5-0 in conference, while the Badgers fall to 4-10 overall and 2-4 in conference. Maine Maritime returns to action on Tuesday, January 18 when they travel to Waterville for a NAC match against Thomas College at 7:30pm.