SOUTH PORTLAND, M.E. — NHTI opened strong but couldn't withstand Southern Maine CC's depth and efficiency, falling 86–64 Saturday afternoon. 

The Lynx controlled the early tempo, striking first when Markel Brown hit a pair of free throws and Christian Forysthe buried a three to give NHTI a 5–2 lead. AJ Richardson attacked the lane for multiple early finishes to help keep the Lynx in front through the opening four minutes. 

That early composure gave way once SMCC's bench entered and found its rhythm. Back-to-back threes from Chance Mercier and Franck Moron swung momentum sharply, sparking a 19–4 run that put the Seawolves ahead 25–12. Still, NHTI refused to fold. Demery Hadges provided a lift midway through the half, scoring on a layup before stepping out to drain a deep three at 9:38, trimming the deficit back to single digits. 

Even as SMCC pushed its advantage, the Lynx continued producing meaningful stretches. Richardson's pace in transition opened lanes, Brown converted a fast-break layup off a Richardson steal, and freshman guard Jaron Labranche added a basket at 3:53. 

Hadges closed the half as NHTI's most active scoring option, drilling another three and adding a driving finish in the final two minutes. His late burst helped the Lynx cut the halftime margin to 44–30 despite SMCC's 51% shooting in the period. 

The Seawolves tightened their grip early in the second half, using ball movement and interior strength to outscore NHTI 42–34 the rest of the way. SMCC's shooting never faltered and the ball movement stayed prominent as the hosts assisted on 18 of 36 made baskets, while also generating 21 points off the Lynx's 17 turnovers. 

Ellis Macea led the Seawolves with 20 points and 11 rebounds on 9-of-15 shooting, while Mercier added 18. The bench for the Seawolves also made an impact, scoring 16 points, led by 8 from Jace Bessey. 

Richardson turned in another strong all-around outing for NHTI, leading the team with 13 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. Hadges matched him with 13 points and added 7 boards, while Mossyah Nembhard delivered a second-half spark with 9 points, all from beyond the arc. Brown chipped in 8, and Forysthe anchored the paint with 7 rebounds. 

Despite knocking down 11 threes, the Lynx couldn't keep pace with SMCC's interior scoring, falling behind by as many as 24 in the closing minutes as the Seawolves improved to 7–4 and 3–4 in league play. 

The Lynx drop to 0-7 overall following the loss.