Keelhaulers fall in conference semifinals

By: Chris Holtz

VALLEJO, Calif. - Cal Maritime opened their time at the California Pacific Conference Men's Basketball Championship as they took on Northern New Mexico. The Keelhaulers were in the unfamiliar position of being the road designate team for the game as the Eagles were the conference's #2 seed. The Keelhaulers led by four at halftime but fell to the Eagles 99-92. 

In the first half, the Eagles started the ballgame on a 17-7 run capped by a TJ Sanchez layup with 14:31 left in the half. The Keelhaulers would  then go on a 29-3 run, to gain their largest lead of the ballgame at sixteen, at 38-22, with 6:39 left. The Eagles would outscore the Keelhaulers 27-15 over the remainder of the half. The Keelhaulers led 53-49 at halftime.

In the second half, the Eagles started the half on an 8-2 run capped by a pair of TJ Sanchez free throws, to take the lead at 57-55. The game would be played at a back and forth pace with neither team gaining a lead larger than three for the majority of the half. The Keelhaulers would gain their largest lead of the half at seven, at 82-75, on a Luka Popovic free throw with 6:54 left. The Eagles would then go on a 16-7 run, capped by a Diego Sharp layup with 1:40 left, to take the lead for good at 91-89.

Popovic led the Keelhaulers with 19 points. TJ Sanchez had a game high 34 points for the Eagles.

Cal Maritime finishes their season with a 10-13 record.