WATERVILLE — Former Mt. Ararat standout, Kristi Willey totaled 20 points, including four 3-pointers to help lead the Maine Maritime Academy women’s basketball team to a 74-44 North Atlantic Conference victory over Thomas College on Wednesday night.

The Mariners jumped out to a 10-2 lead following a Willey 3-pointer, with 10:22 remaining in the first half. MMA then scored 12-unanswered points to close out the half, leading 33- 13.

Jillian Perron scored a career-high 21 points for the Mariners, while adding seven rebounds, three steals and two assists. Willey also contributed a team-best eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block.

The Mariners took total control of the second half, leading by as much as 36 points with 1:34 remaining in the game.

On Saturday, MMA defeated the University of Maine-Farmington, 52-34.

The Mariners jumped out to build a 16-0 lead, highlighted by five points from Willey with 13:34 remaining in the half. Maine-Farmington outscored the Mariners 10-4 to close the lead to 20-10 with a little under six minutes remaining. An Alex Winchester jump shot, followed by a Mary Badeen lay-up sent the Mariners into the half with a 27-14 lead.

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Maine Maritime never looked back from their early game lead, outscoring the Beavers 25-20 in the second half to claim the NAC victory, and avenge a 60-56 loss to Maine-Farmington, on Dec. 2nd.

Willey ended the afternoon with 14 points, a rebound and steal.

The Mariners improve to 12-13 overall this season, and 9-9 in North Atlantic Conference play, while the Beavers fall to 11-14 on the season and 10-8 in the NAC.

The No. 6 seeded Mariners will travel to New England College on Tuesday for an NAC quarterfinal game.



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