Second-half surge nearly erases halftime deficit vs. D-III UCSC

VALLEJO, Calif. – Trailing by 14 at halftime of Monday's non-conference game at PEAC Main Gym against UC Santa Cruz, Cal Maritime cut that deficit to four points with nearly 10 minutes remaining in the game by outscoring the Banana Slugs, 25-15 in the opening portion of the second half.

Whenever UCSC increased its lead, the Keelhaulers stormed back to pull within a possession, or two, throughout the rest of the evening until the visiting Slugs pulled away late to defeat Cal Maritime, 88-81.

In addition to shooting 57% in the second half, the Keelhaulers' defense held UCSC to only 38 points; by comparison, the Slugs shot 57% and scored 50 points in the first half.

Cal Maritime's defense shined throughout the entire night by forcing 20 turnovers, which led to 23 points. On the opposite side of the court, it only committed nine turnovers the entire game. 

Lawrence Long led Cal Maritime with 14 points and five rebounds, Nick Stone (13 points), Emerson Santos (career-high 11) and Jordan Morency (10) all finished in double figures for the Keelhaulers in their final pre-Cal Pac tune-up.

 Their Cal Pac opener will take place inside PEAC Main Gym Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. against rival Pacific Union. The team's current three-game homestand will conclude Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. versus Cal Miramar.