December 7, 2006

Cal Maritime men's basketball team started off the California Pacific Conference right with their home opener and a 65-63 win over preseason favorites Holy Names on Thursday night in Mayo Gymnasium. 

The Keelhaulers (4-4, 1-0 in Cal Pac) were firing on all cylinders early in the game, jumping out to a 24-10 lead early in the 1st half lead by a hot hand from Mikey Ferguson, a 6'1 transfer from Chabot College.  Holy Names (4-8) cut the lead to 40-38 by halftime with a great shooting display by Sean Palmer, 5 for 5 from 3pt land.

The second half was tight from beginning to end.  A key 3pter from the corner by Tom Kreta, a senior guard from Alaska, propelled the Keelhualers to a 64-60 lead in the final minutes of the game.  Holy names went for the win on the road, but a key defensive block by Cody Gatton secured the victory.  Gatton, a 6'5 transfer from San Diego City and a local from Rancho Cotati HS led CMA with 15 points.  Kreta scored 13, 3 for 5 behind the arc, Praise Odo-boms and Freguson finished with 11.  The surprises of the night were John Stiles, a freshman from Murrietta, Ca, who contributed 6 key points and great defense at clutch times plus Steve Barrera from Stockton defensively chiming in taking 2 momentum swinging charges.

Next up for CMA will be the defending league champions Dominican University on December 14th at 7:30pm in San Rafael, Ca.