Keelhaulers take control early in 88-64 victory

Men's Basketball improved to 18-5 overall and 6-3 in Cal Pac play keeping sole possession of second place in the conference standings after defeating La Sierra University in Riverside, Calif. on Thursday night.

Cal Maritime started the game on a 10-0 run that included two corner threes from sophomore Matthew Essien. The Golden Eagles had to call a time out to keep the Keelhaulers from getting too far ahead just 2:06 into the game.

But Maritime would continue pouring it on and would build their lead up to 24-9 before the first media time out of the contest. Senior Evan Madill caught fire during the Keelhaulers mid-half run going 6 of 7 from the field for 17 points in the first half.

The Keelhaulers as a whole shot 60% from the field in the first half including 44% from downtown to lead 52-28 at the break with second-chance opportunities playing a big part in their success.

Cal Maritime would not take their foot off the pedal in the second half starting it on a 10-2 run and extending the lead out to their largest of the night at 32 points. Maritime would lead by more than 20 most of the half but the Golden Eagles did manage to get it to an 80-61 game with just under six minutes remaining.

But free throws by Madill and junior Zavier Lucero would push it back to 20 for good with just over three minutes to go in a game the Keelhaulers never trailed sweeping the season series with La Sierra (5-20, 0-9).

Madill finished with 21 points shooting 5 of 8 from three-point range on the night. Lucero again delivered with 19 points and eight rebounds and seniors Josh Hauser and Ben Borja each had four assists to go with eight and seven points respectively.

Cal Maritime shot 51% from the field on the night and 41% from deep and committed eight less turnovers than La Seirra.

UP NEXT: Men's Basketball will head to Lancaster, Calif. to take on #17 UAV who are a perfect 9-0 in Cal Pac play so far.