Hampton’s career-high 23 points leads to an 84-77 Keelhauler victory

VALLEJO, Calif. – Leading 73-72 with just under four minutes remaining in Saturday's Cal Pac Conference game at PEAC Main Gym, Lucky Hampton scored two of his career-high 23 points to extend his team's lead against Park Gilbert.

Even though the visiting Buccaneers pulled within one by hitting a pair of free throws on their next possession, Cal Maritime answered with a three from Illyaas Rafiq, turning the Keelhaulers' advantage into a two-possession margin.

As was the case all night long, this back-and-forth battled continued down the stretch with Park Gilbert chopping its deficit in half only to see Alex Maze drain a three with 2:56 left to play to push the Keelhaulers' lead to five.

Leading 81-76 entering crunch time, Hampton sliced his way through the Buccaneers' defense to score another two on a layup to secure a positive result for his team as CSUM ended its weekend with a split, thanks to an 84-77 victory versus Park Gilbert.

With that win, men's basketball defeated the Buccaneers in all four head-to-head matchups and will enter the last game of its current homestand Thursday night with a 3-14 overall and 3-7 Cal Pac record.

Park Gilbert will return home with respective records of 8-12 and 4-6.

Cal Maritime enjoyed a well-rounded offensive performance with five players finishing in double figures. Alex Maze hit four of his five baskets from three and, like his teammate Hampton, finished with a team-high nine rebounds.  

DJ Henry ended his night with 14 and 8, DeAndre Minor added another 12 points and Rafiq chipped in another 10.

The Keelhaulers' ball protection was phenomenal all night long since they turned the ball over a season-low six times in a game that included 10 tied scores and 11 lead changes.

Led by Minor, CSUM's bench outscored its counterparts 30-5; the team also won the battle of the boards by a 47-43 margin.

Cal Maritime will begin the back-half of league play on its home floor when Simpson visits PEAC Main Gym in a matchup that will start at 7:30 p.m.