CASTINE, Maine. –

In their first meeting with the Mariners in over 15 years, Coast Guard fell to Maine Maritime 68-57. For Maine Maritime, it was their second consecutive victory and improves them to 11-3 on the season. They will next face NAC foe Thomas College on Wednesday January 15th, 5:30 at home.

Coast Guard fell behind early and were never able to hit their stride on offense. It is their second consecutive road loss(2-3 overall) while remaining undefeated(7-0) at home thus far on the year. As a team they shot just 31.7%(20-63) from the field and 11.8%(2-17) from three point range. Maine Maritime in turn shot 42.9%(24-56) from the field and 40.9%(9-22) from three. 

The Mariners led for nearly the entire first half but CGA never let them extend their lead to a commanding point. They did however appear to be poised to do so, extending their lead to a game high nine points with a minute left in the half. Coast Guard would fight back in the final minute to trail by just five entering the half after Kelly Hagerty(Emerald Isle, NC) and Julia Mann(Central Square, NY) each made shots assisted by Dorothy Stotts(Edina, MN) with Mann's coming at the buzzer. 

In the 2nd half, Maine Maritime scored the first 11 points to extend to a commanding 16 point lead which CGA would spend the rest of the game chasing down. With just over a minute remaining in the game, a Hagerty layup cut the deficit to single digits(62-53) but it was ultimately too little too late for the Bears after the Mariners sunk six consecutive free throws to put the game on ice.

Coast Guard was led on offense by Dottie Stotts who had 14 points and five assists. She also added a team high three steals on defense for the Bears who had 10 as a team in the afternoon. With five free throws made today, Stotts has moved into the #1 spot all-time for Coast Guard in free throw percentage(min. 100 attempts) at 82.9%(87-105). Also in double figures for CGA were seniors Kelly Hagerty and Julia Mann with 12 and 11 points respectively. Hagerty(7) and Mann(6) also paced the Bears in rebounds, and each had two steals. 

Coast Guard(11-3) will open up NEWMAC play next weekend with a road matchup vs the Wheaton Lyons on Saturday January 18th at 1:00 PM.