Keelhaulers send seniors out with an 86-79 win

VALLEJO, Calif. – Prior to the start of Saturday's season finale at PEAC Main Gym, the men's recognized honored two cadet-athletes, Divine Nwoko and Parker Wight, in a pregame ceremony since each will earn their respective degree early. Also honored in that same pregame ceremony were Braxton Adderly and Miles Pennington, another pair of Keelhaulers who will graduate this spring, exhaust their eligibility this season and made their final home appearance in a Cal Maritime uniform when their team hosted La Sierra. 

Even though the Golden Eagles led by four at the break, it was an 8-2 run from the Keelhaulers throughout a four-minute portion of time midway through the second half that gave them the lead for good and sealed a season sweep, thanks to an 86-79 victory in CSUM's final game before the start of postseason play.

Pennington led all Keelhaulers with 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the floor and led all players with seven assists. Nwoko finished with 21 points, on 7 of 10 shooting overall, canned 3 of 4 attempts from three, and ended his evening with a team-high six rebounds. Wight posted six points, three rebounds and two assists; Adderly recorded four points, three rebounds and two assists.

Also playing a key role in the Keelhaulers' victory were Everett Perrot and Shawn Kelly; the former ended the night with 11 points, six rebounds, and the latter scored 12 and collected five boards. 

Even though Cal Maritime will enter the upcoming Cal Pac Men's Basketball Championship as the tournament's No. 5 seed, its opponent is still TBD since two games involving other league teams are slated for Sunday.

If Westcliff beats Benedictine Mesa tomorrow, it will lock up the No. 3 seed and face No. 6 Simpson in the Championship's opening round. In that scenario, UC Merced would become the No. 4 seed and face the Keelhaulers on the 25th. If the Warriors lose, they will become the No. 4 seed and take on Cal Maritime for the second time within a three-week timespan.