Men's basketball falls to No. 21 Antelope Valley

VALLEJO, Calif. – Even though 21st-ranked Antelope Valley jumped out to an 18-5 lead in Thursday's Cal Pac Conference game at PEAC Main Gym, Cal Maritime methodically, and patiently, trimmed its deficit as the half progressed until it evened the score at 31, thanks to a three from Shawn Kelly scored 26 second into halftime.

That shot capped a 10-0 Cal Maritime scoring run that started with a Miles Pennington free throw with just over four minutes remaining until halftime.

But the Pioneers responded with a run of their own midway through the second half to pull away and defeat the Keelhaulers, 72-58, to improve their overall record to 24-1 and earn their 18th victory out of 19 games played against Cal Pac opponents. 

Men's basketball will enter Saturday's 8:30 p.m. season finale with records of 12-14 overall and 11-8 during Cal Pac play.

Basketball fans should arrive to PEAC Main Gym by 8 p.m. to secure their seats and help the program recognize two individuals, Parker Wight and Divine Nwoko, who will graduate early; men's basketball will also honor Braxton Adderly and Pennington as well since each will exhaust their eligibility this season and make their final appearance, in a Cal Maritime uniform, when the Keelhaulers host La Sierra this weekend.

Kelly and Adderly led all CSUM players against Antelope Valley by scoring 15 and 12 points, respectively, with the former finishing one rebound shy of recording a double-double.