Men's basketball enters season's final week battling for coveted postseason berth

Game 19

Cal Maritime Keelhaulers (11-7, 6-2 Cal Pac)
at
Simpson Red Hawks (13-7, 8-3 Cal Pac)

Wednesday, Feb. 16 – 7:30 p.m.
James M. Grant Center – Redding, Calif.

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Live Stats

Simpson Athletics' COVID Policy: All visitors are welcome, masks are recommended but not required.

Game 20

Cal Maritime Keelhaulers
at
La Sierra Golden Eagles (8-14, 4-6 Cal Pac)

Saturday, Feb. 19 – 8:30 p.m.
Alumni Pavilion – Riverside, Calif.

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Live Stats

La Sierra Athletics' COVID Policy: Spectators at La Sierra University home games must be vaccinated La Sierra University also expects all spectators to follow proper masking protocol and use designated seating areas. Masks will be available free of charge for those who forget to bring their own. The University's spectator capacity will be limited to 50% outdoors and 35% indoors. 

To attend games, spectators will need to acquire tickets through La Sierra Athletics' website at www.lsugoldeneagles.com/hometown-ticketing. 

Game 21

Cal Maritime Keelhaulers
at
Antelope Valley Pioneers (15-13, 7-4 Cal Pac)

Monday, Feb. 21 – 7:30 p.m.
Pioneer Event Center – Lancaster, Calif.

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Live Stats

Antelope Valley Athletics' COVID Policy: Fans, guests and visitors are allowed to watch games in person, but must wear a mask at all times while inside the Pioneer Event Center.

VALLEJO, Calif. – Since Cal Maritime sits atop the Cal Pac North Division standings in first place, men's basketball's mission this week is simple: win, and you're in since the North Division champion will advance to the league's postseason tournament.

Since only six spots are available at this season's Cal Pac Men's Basketball Championship, hosted by Antelope Valley, the final week of the season will feature numerous games with potential playoff implications, starting with Wednesday's road game at Simpson — one that feature's the division's top two teams.

The top team in each division receives an automatic bid with three additional teams chosen for at-large spots by the selection committee.

When the Keelhaulers and Red Hawks last met, Cal Maritime suffered a rare league loss, and would love nothing more than to avenge that result and split the season's series in the first of a season-ending three-game road swing that also includes stops at La Sierra (6:30 p.m. tip) on Saturday and Antelope Valley (7:30 p.m.) two days later.

Including that victory in Vallejo, Simpson won three of its last four games, picking up that lone loss last Thursday at Saint Katherine. Wednesday night's matchup is the last home game of the season for the Red Hawks since they will end the year on Monday at UC Merced.

This head-to-head series has been a competitive one in recent seasons with the Keelhaulers winning six of the last 11. Entering Wednesday's conference clash in Redding, these teams split the last eight games played; Cal Maritime also won three of the last four on the Red Hawks' home court.

Once the Keelhaulers return home, they will have a day to rest and prep for their season-ending Southern California road swing before heading south on Friday. The team's weekend will start at La Sierra against a tough Golden Eagles squad that won five of their eight home games played this year.

The Keelhaulers' visit will take place during the back-half of La Sierra's current season-ending seven-game homestand — a block of action that saw it split the first four games. Following a loss to Antelope Valley, the Golden Eagles defeated Benedictine Mesa, but fell to Park University – Gilbert the following day.

A busy weekend of basketball ended on the 13th with a two-point win against Embry-Riddle.

Two days before it hosts Cal Maritime, La Sierra will face Saint Katherine; it will end the season two days after the Keelhaulers depart Riverside with a President's Day matchup versus Pacific Union.

In addition to winning 16 of 18 against La Sierra, the Keelhaulers won the last 14 in a row and have now lost to the Golden Eagles since February 1, 2014.

Earlier this season, Cal Maritime won by 10 in a designated non-conference game against the Pioneers when they visited Vallejo on December 5, which ended Cal Maritime's five-game head-to-head losing streak. In addition to seeking a season sweep, the Keelhaulers will look to start another streak between these teams.

Before UAV won five straight, Cal Maritime won six in a row.

If all goes well for Cal Maritime, Monday's game at the Pioneer Event Center will become the first of two trips to the facility within a one-week timespan since Antelope Valley is hosting the league's men's basketball postseason tournament.