Maritime Punches Ticket to Branson with Win Over Simpson - Mar 4, 2015

Cal Maritime needed an extra five minutes, but the Keelhaulers capitalized in overtime to turn back an unrelenting Simpson team 85-76 to win the California Pacific Conference Tournament before a packed house in Vallejo, Calif. The win advances CMA, which received votes in the latest NAIA national poll, into the NAIA National Championship, held at College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, MO, beginning on March 11.
Next week's trip to the National Championships marks the fourth consecutive appearance for CMA, the most of any team in Cal Pac history.
The Keelhaulers, who led by one at the half, appeared primed to pull away, building a 13-point halfway through the final 20 minutes, but the Red Hawks ramped up the defensive pressure and powered their way back to tie the game at 63-63 when Shaquille Jones (5'9''-PG) connected on a free throw with 3:43 remaining.
After the two squads traded leads for the next three minutes, Clayton White (5'11''-PG) hit both ends of a one-and-one to give CMA a 72-69 lead with 48 seconds left, and it again looked like the Keelhaulers would have just enough to hold off Simpson's push. But Anthony Williams (6'2''-F), who drained 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, hit nothing but net to even the score with 22 seconds remaining. CMA's shot near the end of regulation fell short and sent the title game into overtime.
During the five-minute bonus period, White drove for two points to open the scoring, and the Keelhaulers never trailed. As a team, CMA made 12-of-14 from the free throw to provide all the offense necessary to seal the win.
CMA, which improves its overall record to 19-9, had three players hit double figures. Dominique Barnes (6'6''-G/F) led the Keelhaulers with 20 points and nine rebounds while Roman Delgado (6'1''-G) finished with 17 points, eight boards, three assists, three blocks, and three steals. Kameron Hoyt (6'1''-G) chipped in 10 points and three steals for CMA. White contributed nine points and a game-high six assists.
Simpson, which finishes its season with a 17-15 record, also had three players surpass the double-digit mark. Ian Corella (6'7''-F) dominated play inside, pounding in 22 points to pace the Red Hawks. The senior post hit 12-of-14 free throws and also pulled down nine boards. Williams had an impressive performance beyond his hot shooting from behind the 3-point line. He finished with 19 points and nine boards. Dalton Thacker (6'2''-G) hit two threes and 7-of-10 free throws and totaled 15 points, as well as seven rebounds and four steals.

CalPac Tournament Final: Cal Maritime - Simpson 85-76
CalPac Tournament Semifinals:
Cal Maritime - La Sierra 80-60
Simpson - Pacific Union 95-78

Courtesy of CalPacAthletics