Keelhaulers drop homestand opener to Benedictine Mesa

VALLEJO, Calif. – Six tied scores and five lead changes took place throughout an entertaining first half in Thursday's Cal Pac Conference game at PEAC Main Gym, the first home contest for Cal Maritime since December 6, but an early second-half scoring run from Benedictine Mesa helped it secure an 84-62 victory over the Keelhaulers. 

Throughout the opening eight minutes of the second half, the Redhawks doubled-up CSUM's offense by outscoring it, 26-13, which turned their three-point halftime lead into a sizable cushion that held for the remainder of the night.

Alex Maze and Illyaas Rafiq led Cal Maritime with 13 and 12 points apiece; Justice Cole earned a game-high 12 of his team's 40 rebounds.

Men's basketball will experience a quick turnaround because the second of three straight games at home will take place on Saturday in a 4 p.m. conference tilt vs. Park Gilbert.