CASTINE, Maine – Maine Maritime women's basketball beat SUNY Poly, 71-55 to win their first North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Championship since 2005. Today was the final game played on the Smith Gym floor, which has now seen 526 wins and 16 championships in its 62 years, before an upcoming renovation.
 
How it Happened: After some back-and-forth action in the first quarter, the Mariners were able to squeeze by with a 10 point lead going into the second quarter. Maine Maritime continued to build on their lead in the second quarter, taking a 40-27 lead going into halftime.
 
SUNY Poly started off the second half strong, getting within single digits of the Mariners. Maine Maritime regrouped in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Wildcats 15-9 to claim a 71-55 victory.
 
Inside the Numbers:

• Erianna Moore (Fitchburg, Mass.) led the Mariners with 18 points, going 6 for 8 from the three point line, along with seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
• Maria Barela (Albuquerque, N.M.) added 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
• Evelyn Dagan (Castine, Maine) came off the bench with 15 points off five three pointers, while adding four rebounds and a block.
• Lauren Plissey (Hermon, Maine) chipped in 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one block.
• Lyrik Jackson led the Wildcats with 28 points, four rebounds, and one steal.
• Molly Burdick added 14 points and Ashley Reid chipped in 12 for the Wildcats.
• Maine Maritime shot 40.7% from the floor and 51.7% from the three point line, while SUNY Poly shot 32.7% from the hardwood and 42.9% three beyond the arc.

All-Tournament Team:
Bailey Donovan (Hus)
Talia Washington (SUNY Cobleskill)
Lyrik Jackson (SUNY Poly)
Molly Burdick (SUNY Poly)
Evelyn Dagan (MMA)
Lauren Plissey (MMA)
MVP: Erianna Moore (MMA)

Up Next: Maine Maritime advances to the NCAA tournament and will find out who they play during the selection show on Monday, February 27 at 2:30pm.