Nwoko’s 21 points, Cole’s 16 boards pace Keelhaulers in pre-finals tilt

VALLEJO, Calif. – Trailing by six at halftime of Tuesday's non-conference matchup at PEAC Main Gym, Cal Maritime started the second half in the best possible way by scoring nine of the first 11 combined points of the second half to take a 43-42 lead on a layup from Lee Jones Jr.

That basket continued what originally started before halftime: an action-packed game that saw a total of six tied scores, six lead changes, and turned into a one-possession contest with six seconds remaining, thanks to a clutch three from Divine Nwoko that pulled the Keelhaulers within two points of William Jessup.

With Cal Maritime forced to foul and the Warriors in the double bonus, all CSUM needed was one free throw to miss its intended target to face a game-tying, or potential game-winning situation. Unfortunately for CSUM, WJ hit both attempts to double its lead to the game's final margin and leave Vallejo with a 75-71 victory.

Justice Cole owned the defensive glass, where he collected 12 of his career-high 16 boards, and nearly posted a double-double by finishing with eight points. Nwoko led all players with 21 points on 8 of 13 shooting from the floor; half of his baskets were hit from three.

By playing the day before finals week commences, Cal Maritime will enjoy a brief hiatus to focus on papers and exams before returning to the court on Tuesday, December 20, to host Southern Oregon in a 2 p.m. non-conference matchup. The Keelhaulers will enter that game with a 3-5 overall record since Tuesday's result snapped their three-game win streak.

William Jessup, a team that recently dropped out of the NAIA's top 25 poll, will continue its season at 9-5.