CSUM's win streak snapped in first Cal Pac game of the season

VALLEJO, Calif. – Do not let the final score fool you because Cal Maritime and UC Merced engaged in a fierce battle from the opening tip until the final buzzer of Thursday's Cal Pac Conference opener at PEAC Main Gym, a game that ultimately ended CSUM's three-game win streak — the longest since the February of 2016/

Even though the visiting Bobcats led for most of the game, they were unable to pull away, thanks to a Keelhauler defense that forced 24 turnovers and turned those extra possessions into 26 points.

Approaching the final 90 seconds of the game, Cal Maritime was whistled for a foul, which gave the Bobcats two shots at the line. Since a technical foul was also called against CSUM on that same play, UC Merced earned four opportunities to extend its lead, which it did by hitting all four shots at the line.

On UCM's next possession, earned after that block of free throws due to the technical foul, it hit a three to cap a seven-point possession that sealed the game, one that ended in the Bobcats' favor by a 79-69 result.

Led by Jameelah Pharms' team-high 16 points, CSUM's bench outscored their counterparts 33-23 and finished with a plus-15 margin in points off turnovers.

Dylan Fulton and Emily Newton finished with 13 and 10 points, respectively, with the former ending the night with a team-high seven rebounds.

Pharms also muscled her way through the paint to finish with six rebounds.

Women's basketball will not have to wait long to avenge this result and earn a split of its inaugural weekend of conference games since it will head to Simpson for Saturday's 2 p.m. contest.