Keelhaulers seek weekend split after dropping tournament opener to #4 Southern Oregon

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Competing against its first nationally-ranked opponent of the season, Cal Maritime held its own against No. 4 Southern Oregon at the beginning of Friday's tournament opener at the Lithia – Oregon Tech Classic in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Cal Maritime hit three of its six field goals from three-point territory throughout the first quarter and held SOU to 28.6 percent shooting overall throughout the first 10 minutes of action.

The Keelhaulers also outrebounded the Raiders, 16-11, collected twice as many rebounds on the defensive glass (12-6), and saw their reserves outscore Southern Oregon's bench, 9-4, to trail their counterparts by only one point entering the second quarter.

Cal Maritime also ended the game on a positive note as it scored 16 points total that period, one less than SOU, matched the Raiders' shooting percentage from the floor (44.4 pct. on 8 of 18 attempts), and connected from three on 3 or 8 attempts.

It was the middle quarters that gave the Keelhaulers trouble as the Raiders caught fire in the second period to outscore CSUM by 26, which built too large of a lead to overcome in a game SOU won by a 106-63 score.

Cal Maritime will face a quick turnover from one tournament game to the next as it will return to action against the event's host, Oregon Tech, at 5:30 p.m. PT on Saturday.

With Friday's result, Southern Oregon will continue the weekend with a 3-0 record; Cal Maritime is now 1-4.

Jaz Novelli and Aysia Santos each finished with a team-high 14 points; combined, the duo was responsible for six of the team's 11 three-point field goals.

Novelli also posted a team-high six rebounds.