Men's Basketball prevails in overtime against Embry-Riddle

Cal Maritime (13-8, 5-2) held on for a 70-67 victory over Embry Riddle moving them to one game back of first-place Simpson and Antelope Valley.

The Keelhaulers found themselves down seven with just under 13 minutes left in the first half before back-to-back three pointers by senior Justin Eisen and sophomore Zavier Lucero cut it to one.

Junior center Ben Borja would give the Keelhaulers their first lead of the game just two minutes later and a three by junior Evan Madill put Maritime up by five with 7:45 to go in the half.

But the Eagles are no slouches from outside themselves and shot 45% from downtown in the first half and would reclaim a four-point lead with just two minutes remaining in the half. However, Cal Maritime was 7 of 14 from three-point range in the frist frame and an Eisen three pointer would cut it to one on the very next possession for a half-time score of 30-29 Embry-Riddle.

In the second half Cal Maritime would lead by as many 13 after another Madill three with 11:11 left in the game. But the Keelhaulers were just 5 of 11 from the free throw line in the second half, and that along with the Eagles moving the ball well to generate some decent looks and tie it with just two seconds remaining in regulation.

But the Keelhaulers would atone for letting the lead slip away in regulation by never trailing in the overtime period with a Lucero basket sealing the deal for Cal Maritime with 22 seconds left.

Madill led Cal Maritime with 18 points with another night of shooting at least 50% from three-point range as the 53% shooter on the year went 7 of 14 from downtown. Lucero went 7 of 15 from the field to score 17 points and while pulling down nine rebounds, and Hauser put up 10 points with a team-leading eight assists.

UP NEXT: Cal Maritime will look to avenge their conference-opening loss to Simpson University when they travel to Redding, Calf. Saturday, January 26 for the 7:30 p.m. tip off.