AMHERST, Mass. — The Maine Maritime Academy men's basketball team fell 80–72 to Elms College in its opening game of the Ken Wright Invitational on Friday, hosted by Amherst College.

Maine Maritime (0–2) trailed 38–31 at the break after shooting 33.3 percent from the field and 18.2 percent from three in the opening half. Elms (3–1) countered with marks of 45.5 percent from the floor and 36.4 percent from beyond the arc.

The Mariners battled closely with the Blazers throughout the second half, but Elms edged MMA 42–41 over the final 20 minutes to secure the 80–72 win. Maine Maritime shot 55.6 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three in the closing frame while holding Elms to 28.6 percent from long range.

Junior Jack Banks paced the Mariners with 22 points and seven rebounds on 10-of-18 shooting. Freshman Aaron Pensel added 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals in 38 minutes. Freshman Drew Hamilton scored 11 points, freshman Noah Eckhart chipped in eight, and senior Josiah Dancy dished out seven assists.

Maine Maritime returns to action Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Ken Wright Invitational Consolation Game against Rutgers–Camden.