Clutch defensive stop at the buzzer leads to weekend sweep

VALLEJO, Calif. – Nine lead changes took place throughout Saturday's Cal Pac game at PEAC Main Gym, but it was a layup from Shawn Kelly, plus a clutch defensive play at the buzzer that allowed Cal Maritime to sweep its inaugural set of conference games, thanks to its 61-59 victory over Westcliff.

It was this play at the buzzer, which fans can view by clicking the embedded video below, that forced the visiting Warriors into a tough shot on the final play of the game, an attempt that would have forced overtime for the second straight game.

��⏰��Men's Basketball storm back and hold the Westcliff Warriors on the final possession!
Starting @Cal_Pac play 2-0. Shoutout to https://t.co/KFfj2EOPcf for bringing the energy tonight��⚓️
Be sure to stay up to date and give @gokeelhaulers a follow ��#GoKeelhaulers pic.twitter.com/redRVJbkmv

— California State University (CSU) Maritime Academy (@Cal_Maritime) December 4, 2022

Men's basketball will now enter Thursday's rivalry game at Pacific Union with a 2-4 overall record and sit atop the conference standings thanks to its 2-0 mark during league play.

Following Kelly's late layup, which gave CSUM a 57-56 lead with three minutes remaining, Miles Pennington pushed that cushion to three points, thanks to his layup with 2:40 remaining. After Westcliff responded with a layup of its own, Taylor Lunden returned that margin back to three by hitting a pair of free throws.

After Josh Jones trimmed the Keelhaulers' advantage to two, the Keelhaulers came inches away from doubling its lead to a two-possession margin with 24 seconds still left to play. But that shot did not fall for Cal Maritime, which gave Westcliff an opportunity to tie the game, or win it with a three.

Thanks to Cal Maritime's stout defense, the Warriors were forced to settle for a third option since they were unable to create a clean look moments before the final buzzer sounded.

Led by Pennington, who finished with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds, both game highs, four Keelhaulers scored double figures against the Warriors. Lee Jones Jr., Kelly and Braxton Adderly each finished with 10 points.