Keelhaulers dominate Sunday's battle vs. Bushnell

VALLEJO, Calif. – Even though Bushnell held an 11-point lead in the first half of Sunday's non-conference game at PEAC Main gym, Cal Maritime showcased its poise and battled back to tie the score at 45 in the early minutes of the second half. 

The next tied score took place with six minutes and 28 seconds left to play, until a pair of free throws from Eric Norton gave his team the lead for good in a game the Keelhaulers won by a 96-89 score.

Led by Norton with 22, four Cal Maritime players scored double digits to lead the team to a season-high point total. Reigning Cal Pac Player of the Week Amil Fields posted a double-double of 19 points and a game-high 10 boards — exactly one-third of his team's total — with Miles Pennington and Trey Porter adding another 14 and 12 points apiece.

In addition to collecting five rebounds and a team-high three assists, Norton was efficient from the floor by connecting on 8 of 13 shots vs. the Beacons.

Four of Field's seven buckets were from three; Pennington sank 6 of 9 shots and Porter hit 5 of 7 from the field.

As a team, the Keelhaulers nearly made half of their attempts by posting a .493 overall percentage, they also canned shots from three all afternoon long by connecting on 10 of 24 shots (.417 pct.).

What started with a three from Fields with 26 seconds left in the first half carried over to the second half as the Keelhaulers held Bushnell scoreless for over five minutes since it did not score throughout the final minute before the break, and remained ice cold for the first four minutes of action in the second half.

By comparison, Cal Maritime scored 14 unanswered after the break to erase its deficit and regain the lead.  

Down 53-48, the Beacons battled back and led for 19 seconds midway through the half, but that was their final highlight of the day since Cal Maritime eventually led 71-67 when Porter scored five straight on a three and pair of free throws.

As action progressed, another three tied scores took place; the Keelhaulers' defense stepped up each time by creating opportunities on the other end of the court.

Tied at 71, Porter's jumper broke that score; at 73 apiece, Nwoko's layup pushed Cal Maritime ahead once again. With the score 75-75, Norton's free throws gave his team the lead for good.

Throughout crunch time, it was Cal Maritime that stepped up and made key plays as it ended the game by scoring 15 of its final 24 points to pull away and collect another impressive victory.

The Keelhaulers will end their current four-game homestand on Tuesday with a 7:30 p.m. exhibition matchup vs. Holy Names.