by VALLEJO, Calif. – Down by three after the first quarter of Thursday’s non-conference game at PEAC Main Gym, Park Gilbert and Cal Maritime experienced opposite results in the second period.
As the Buccaneers shot 50 percent from the floor throughout the second 10-minute session, the Keelhaulers could not buy a basket and shot .231 pct., even though both teams did a solid job of creating scoring opportunities and clean looks at the basket.
All that did was set a stage for CSUM to display its grit, poise and team chemistry as it trailed the Buccaneers by as many as 27 before halftime.
After the break, Cal Maritime caught fire and methodically started its comeback effort.
In the third quarter, CSUM hit 55 pct. of its shots and held Park Gilbert to .313 pct. shooting to outscore the visitors by seven in that 10-minute block of action.
The fourth quarter featured a Keelhauler squad that shot a blistering .611 overall as Cal Maritime outscored the Buccaneers by seven again and cut their once imposing lead down to a single possession at 69-66 with 3:23 remaining.
Even though Park Gilbert stretched its advantage to seven in the final minutes, a three from Aysia Santos pulled CSUM within four during the final 10 seconds of play.
Unable to force a turnover, the Keelhaulers were forced to foul as Park Gilbert secured the game’s final points at the line to secure an 81-75 win.
For the game, CSUM posted a higher overall shooting percentage compared to PG (.449 vs. .429) as well as a better shooting clip from three (.407 vs. .231). However, Park Gilbert shot 15 of 23 from the line compared to a Cal Maritime team that only took six free throws and hit two.
Dylan Fulton scored 12 of her team-high 16 points after halftime; of Jaz Novelli’s 14 points, all but two were earned after the break. Jameelah Pharms finished with 13 points but earned a combined nine throughout the final 20 minutes of the game and Santos rounded the Keelhaulers’ list of top scorers with 10.
