Keelhaulers battle back but fall to OUAZ in Friday’s season opener

VALLEJO, Calif. – Trailing 18-8 in the final seconds in the first quarter of Friday's season opener at PEAC Main Gym, Cal Maritime outscored Ottawa (AZ) 13-2 within a six minute block of action, a run punctuated by a three from Emily Newton.

As the game progressed, the visiting Spirit slowly pulled away in the fourth quarter to win a spirited non-conference battle, 73-57.

Cal Maritime will enter Saturday's 5:30 p.m. game, the second of two home contests in as many days, with a 0-1 overall record; OUAZ ends its Northern California trip win wins in both scheduled events. 

In her Keelhauler debut, Jameelah Pharms led the team with 17 points, on 6 of 8 shooting; Aysia Santos was CSUM's other double-digit scorer by finishing with 11. Jaz Novelli led her team in rebounding with six in her first game as a Keelhauler.

Another two newcomers, Addison Alsbury and Newton, earned the starting nod from head coach Imhotet Amen-Ra in their inaugural game at Cal Maritime. True freshman Alanis Sulivan played 21 minutes in her first-ever collegiate game.

Cal Maritime's defense forced OUAZ to commit 24 turnovers and converted those miscues into 22 points. Its bench outscored the Spirit's reserves by three (29-26) and earned 28 points in the paint.