Clutch free throws lead to a three-point victory

VALLEJO, Calif. – Cal Maritime guard Divine Nwoko finished Thursday's non-conference game against UC Santa Cruz with a team-high 16 points; of that total, it was three free throws that turned his team's one-point lead into a two-possession game that ultimately ended with a 61-58 Keelhauler victory. 

With the shot clock moments away from expiring, and 43 seconds remaining in the game, UCSC's Zino Okah bit on Nwoko's savvy pump fake and fell on top of the junior forward, sending him to the line for a momentum-generating opportunity. After calmly nailing all three attempts, the Banana Slugs were forced to shoot threes and fouls their counterpart — a combination that failed to swing the lead back in their favor since Angelo Nicandro and Braxton Adderly each connected on their pair of free throws as the game progressed.

The Keelhaulers' final 10 points, scored throughout the final 2:46 of action, were earned at the free throw line, ending with another three points from Nwoko to give his team an opportunity to sweep this weekend's schedule once the team returns to PEAC Main Gym for Saturday's 8:30 p.m. rivalry matchup against Pacific Union.

Cal Maritime will return to league play with an 8-11 overall and  7-5 conference record with UC Santa Cruz falling to 8-10 with this result.

As was the case with Nwoko, Miles Pennington scored 16 points and finished with a double-double that included 12 rebounds. Everett Perrot completed the Keelhaulers' list of double-digit scorers by adding another 11, in addition to finishing with five boards. 

The Keelhaulers' defense came up big all night long by forcing 17 turnovers, which led to 17 points.

Starting with Thursday's game vs. UCSC, the final non-conference contest of the season, men's basketball will play five games at home before embarking on its final road trip of the season. In all, seven of the team's final nine games will take place in Vallejo.