Maine Maritime Academy Men's Basketball grabbed their first North Atlantic Conference victory of the season on Saturday afternoon, defeating Johnson State 74-62.

The two teams battled back and forth until the Mariners went on a 16-0 run, highlighted by eight points from Jason Hatch, to build a 23-7 lead, and never looked back taking a 39-21 lead into the halftime. 

In the second half the Mariners led by as much as 24 points with 12:48 remaining, following a Zachary Radcliffe three. The Badgers did not go quietly, outscoring the Mariners 41-35 in the second half, but the Mariners hung on to pick up the victory, improving to 2-15 on the season, and 1-9 in the NAC. The Badgers fall to 2-15 overall, and 2-8 in the conference.

Dylan Stevens led the Mariners with 14 points, six rebounds an assist and a block, while Hatch ended the afternoon with 13 points, five rebounds, a steal and a block, and Tyler Thayer added 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal. Nick Holt chipped in with 11 points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal.

The Mariners hit the road for a pair of conference games next Friday and Saturday at Green Mountain and Castleton while Johnson will use the week to prepare for a road contest against Lyndon St. next Saturday.