Simpson’s threes, third quarter, end up deciding Thursday’s Cal Pac clash

VALLEJO, Calif. – Cal Maritime remained within striking distance of Simpson in Thursday's Cal Pac Conference game at PEAC Main Gym and outscored the visiting Red Hawks by two in the fourth quarter. 

Trailing by four entering the second quarter, two late free throws by the Red Hawks turned their slim lead into a two-possession advantage entering the second half.

Buoyed by Alicia Porter's game-high 22 points and team-high eight rebounds, combined with another 11 points from Aysia Santos, the Keelhaulers battled back throughout the final 10 minutes of action, but a 10-0 run from Simpson to start the third quarter ultimately became the difference in a game it won by that margin, 72-62.

"This is the first time we put together four solid quarters in a row, but the third quarter is what created that separation in a game that was really close the entire time," said Cal Maritime head coach Imhotet Amen-Ra.

Even though Simpson recorded only one more basket than Cal Maritime — it finished with 23 field goals vs. the Keelhaulers' 22 — the Red Hawks hit 12 shots from three compared to CSUM's eight.

Taking that 12-point differential in consideration, the final game of women's basketball's three-game homestand most likely would have ended in Cal Maritime's favor.

"I love the output from AP, she was efficient shooting 50 percent from the field; Aysia did a great job at the free throw line and hit some threes that helped us," Amen-Ra added.

"Anika (Carey) did a great job getting us going in the first quarter with her aggressive play ... Kai (Kraus) was super-active on defense and her four steals helped everyone out throughout the game."

By finishing with 16 assists on 22 baskets, Cal Maritime is playing unselfish basketball that is taking the team on an upward trajectory. In their previous matchup that took place in Redding on December 8, Simpson defeated the Keelhaulers by 31.

Another reason why CSUM remained close all night long was its ball protection: the team only committed 13 turnovers compared to the Red Hawks' 16.

Cal Maritime will look to split this week's slate when it heads to UC Merced for Saturday night's 5:30 p.m. league matchup.