Serrano sets a slew of career highs in Saturday’s Senior Day game

VALLEJO, Calif. – Prior to the start of Saturday's Cal Pac Conference game at PEAC Main Gym, Cal Maritime's women's basketball program honored graduate student Alicia Porter and senior Marissa Serrano in a pregame Senior Day ceremony, and once action began, the pair enjoyed their best games of the season in front of their family, friends and loved ones.

Serrano set numerous career highs by scoring 18 points on 6 of 13 shooting, with five of those baskets scored from three-point distance.

"I love [Marissa's] assertiveness all night long; not only with her scoring but by finishing with four rebounds as well," said head coach Imhotet Amen-Ra. "I loved how aggressive she played, yet remained in control all night long."

Combined with Porter's game-high 29 points, one shy of matching a season high, the team's graduating class was responsible 77 percent of the team's offense in a game Embry-Riddle won, 90-61.

Porter hit 11 of 18 attempts from the floor and nailed all seven shots from the stripe.

"We, as a team, have been shooting significantly better at the free throw line. Alicia's performance tonight is another example of that success," said Amen-Ra.

 As a team, CSUM connected on 10 of its 13 free throws.

"AP leads by example by being aggressive from the opening tip, and the rest of our team feeds off that energy and aggressiveness."

By ending the night with a team-high 10 rebounds, Porter also collected her 10th double-double of the season.

Led by Anika Carey with six and Aysia Santos with five, CSUM earned assists on 16 of its 22 field goals.

"Anika and Aysia did a great job finding players and sharing the ball. It's huge how we are playing patient basketball to find one another and create smart opportunities for everyone," Amen-Ra said.

"We were down quite a bit after the first half, but only lost the second half by nine. That shows what kind of team we can become when we lock in and place ourselves in a position to succeed. We need to work on the boards, but Embry-Riddle is a long and tall team."

Cal Maritime will end its current three-game homestand Tuesday night, at 5:30 p.m., when Pacific Union visits PEAC Main Gym for the Keelhaulers' final home event of the season.

Added Amen-Ra, "I want to thank all the fans who attended Saturday's game, the level of support was awesome."