Matteson posts a pair of career highs at Park Gilbert

MESA, Ariz. – Down by 14 at halftime of Thursday's Cal Pac Conference game at the Arizona Athletic Grounds, Cal Maritime methodically chipped away at its deficit throughout the second half and pulled within eight with just over four minutes left to play.

For nearly the rest of the game, the Keelhaulers' defense thwarted the host Buccaneers since they did not record a field goal until the final seconds of the game. Unfortunately for CSUM on the other side of the court, shots just did not fall as it encountered more than its fair share of hard luck throughout the end of the game it ultimately lost, 82-72.

Up next for men's basketball is its 4 p.m. PT regular season finale against Benedictine Mesa at The PHHacility, located in Phoenix.

Jake Matteson scored a career-high 13 points by connecting on 5 of 6 free throws and recorded one of his three field goals from distance.

He nearly posted his first double-double as a Keelhauler by finishing with a team-high nine rebounds, another career best.

Paced by Illyaas Rafiq who hit three from three to finish with 11 points, Cal Maritime shot .417 percent from three and hit 6 of 14 attempts throughout the second half.

By leading all CSUM scorers in the second half with 11, Lucky Hampton ended the evening with a team-high 13