Keelhaulers look sharp in win at BenU Mesa

Cal Maritime's Men's Basketball team came out hot and never looked back, clicking on all cylinders in their road victory against the Benedictine University Mesa Red Hawks 82-66.

The Keelhaulers were able to jump out to an 8-0 lead to start the game, demonstrating their dominance early on both sides of the ball forcing four turnovers from the Red Hawks in the first three minutes.

After a couple of made baskets from the Red Hawks cutting it to 8-5, the Keelhaulers put on the jets to blow it open and run away going on a 21-3 run. It featured an impressive variety of contributions with a statement put back and foul for Lucero along the way and trusty outside shooting from Josh Hauser and company. With arguably their best half of the season, Cal Maritime was able to go into halftime leading 38-17, holding the Red Hawks to a season low in points for a half.

Cal Maritime would continue the run, padding their lead as high as 25 points at from another Lucero and one acrobatic play. The Red Hawks would adjust in the second half, cutting the Keelhauler lead down to single digits to as close as nine. But a Borja slam coming down lane with 2:30 left put it back to double digits and solidified the win from there.

The Keelhaulers displayed a crisp, determined, and focused game plan throughout, particularly on defense seeming more aware than recent games. They finished the game shooting 52% from the field while getting back in rhythm from downtown going 8-20.

Another milestone was reached tonight as senior Josh Hauser (1,005) joins the 1,000 point club at Cal Maritime. Hauser accomplished this feat with a three pointer from the wing with 3:01 left in the first half. He joins his teammate Zavier Lucero (1,091) and former Keelhauler Daniel Radford (1,032) as the only Keelhaulers scoring 1,000 points in their career.

Lucero finished with a game high 20 points and 15 rebounds, marking his 10th double-double on the season. Josh Hauser partnered with 13 of his own with eight rebounds and five assists while Ben Borja was back in the mix with 12 points shooting 6-7.

UP NEXT: Cal Maritime (15-5, 3-3) finishes up their road trip with the Arizona schools when the Keelhaulers visit the Acitiviy Center taking on Embry Riddle (7-9,3-3) for a 4 p.m. tipoff on Saturday, Jan. 25.