VALLEJO- Ian McCloskey had a career-high 24 points to lead UC Santa Cruz but a cold spell from the field late allowed hosts Cal Maritime to escape with a 61-58 win on Thursday night.
UC Santa Cruz fell to 8-10 on the season.
UC Santa Cruz had a 28-27 lead at the half and Treyson Keating hit a jumper that made it a 41-34 lead with 14:45 remaining. However, the Keelhaulers (8-11) tied it at 45-all with 5:09 left. The Banana Slugs missed their next three shots however, and three free throws on a fouled three-point attempt began a stretched where Cal Maritime hit nine-straight free throws to inch ahead 60-55. Eric DeBrine finally broke the drought when he hit a three to make in 60-58 with six seconds left. The Keelhaulers then went 1-2 from the line, leaving UC Santa Cruz with a chance, but the last attempt to tie it with a second left didn't fall.

McCloskey shot 9-14 from the field including three three-pointers. Avri Finch added 12 points and DeBrine scored nine points to go with a team-high ten rebounds. The Banana Slugs travel east next week for three games against C2C opponents, beginning on Thursday at Salisbury.