Kelly’s career-highs fuel Keelhaulers’ comeback

VALLEJO, Calif. – Fans from both teams left PEAC Main Gym awestruck with the Shawn Kelly's performance in Wednesday's Cal Pac Conference game, the final one of 2022, when Cal Maritime hosted UC Merced inside PEAC Main Gym.

The junior forward scored 21 points by shooting 7 of 10 overall, a total that included 3 of 4 baskets hit from three (another career high) combined with a perfect 4-for-4 night at the free throw line. Kelly also collected a career-best 12 boards, a game-high figure that was nearly one-half of UC Merced's team total since the Bobcats finished with 30.

Lunden Taylor ended his evening with 13 points and Everett Perrot posted nine points and five rebounds as the trio's effort helped the Keelhaulers erase an early 19-point deficit following UCM's strong start. 

Down by 14 at the break, free throws from Lee Jones Jr., Kelly and Miles Pennington pulled CSUM within eight 76 seconds into the second half, both teams traded baskets until a layup and three from Kelly, followed by another layup from Taylor, chopped the team's deficit to a two-possession margin (49-45) with just over 13 minutes remaining in regulation.

At the 6:15 mark of the second half, CSUM completed its comeback on a Perrot layup to even the score at 60; 30 seconds later, a jumper from Kelley gave the Keelhaulers its first lead since the 16-minute mark of the first half when UCM scored to tie the game at seven apiece.

This back-and-forth battle continued until the final minutes until a UC Merced layup doubled its lead to four points; by connecting on five of their final six attempts at the line, the Bobcats pulled away late and scored the game's final four points to defeat CSUM, 78-70.

With Wednesday's result, only Antelope Valley remains undefeated during league play since it and the Keelhaulers were the only teams to sport an undefeated record during league play. With a six-game road swing commencing at 6:30 p.m., at Simpson on New Year's Eve, Cal Maritime will head to Redding with records of 3-1 against Cal Pac competition and 3-7 overall.

UC Merced will continue its season behind Cal Maritime, in fourth place, with a 5-2 league and 9-4 overall record.