As if back-to-back losses suffered in a fall-from-ahead fashion to begin the Cal Pac season weren't enough, they come just a week after Menlo lost two home games by a combined three points in their final non-conference tune-ups. The Oaks have now lost six straight games with the last four by an average of fewer than three points.

Menlo's largest lead was a 36-20 advantage courtesy of a Julian Harris 3-pointer that started the second half. The Oaks had taken an 18-16 lead with seven minutes, 18 seconds to play in the first half and kept a surging California Maritime team at bay until its next lead with only one minute, 36 seconds remaining in the game.

It was an 11-0 run late in the opening half that gave Menlo a cushion that carried almost the rest of the night. Point guard Drew Davis scored on a layup to give the Oaks the lead that Tim Kees followed with a flurry that single-handedly broke the game open.

Kees doubled Menlo's advantage with five minutes to go in the half before doubling it one more time with one big play. The senior guard stole the ball on the perimeter and finished on the other end as he was intentionally fouled. Kees followed by sinking the ensuing free throws and the Oaks led 24-16 thanks to the six-points-in-12-seconds sucker punch.

Andrew Young tipped away an Andrew Medeiros pass, corralled the ball and fed Ryan Dung for a layup in the final minute before halftime to put Menlo in front 33-20 at the break.

Following Harris' half-opening 3-pointer, the Oaks appeared settled and ready to put the finishing touches on the things. They still led by 15 points four minutes into the half, but failed to extend their lead from that point. The Keelhaulers rattled off six consecutive points to pull within single figures, signaling their intent to take the game over.

Free throws by Josh Greenwell again trimmed California Maritime's deficit to two points only for Kees to slash to the basket for a score and a 53-49 Menlo cushion with two minutes, 45 seconds to go. With the game still in their grip, the Oaks allowed Eddie Williams to complete a three-point play and Greenwell to score again for a 54-53 Keelhaulers lead with less than two minutes to play.

Following a free throw by Medeiros, Harris took advantage of a slip by his defender to find space for a 3-pointer that put Menlo back ahead 56-55 with 45 seconds to go.

Medeiros spun out of control toward the basket on the ensuing possession only to be bailed out by a foul call that allowed the point guard two free throws, which he calmly hit for the lead with 31 seconds left. The teams traded turnovers, but Davis missed an open mid-range jumper with two seconds left that proved to be the Oaks final chance.

California Maritime completed the inbounds pass to a streaking Michael Weimer and the clock ran out, though any luck that Menlo had may have run out much earlier.

Harris and Kees scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, for Menlo. Kees added eight rebounds, as did Nick McCullar, who added six points. Young netted eight points, Greene and Dejon Grant tallied six each, and Davis led with five assists.

The Keelhaulers were paced by Weimer's 16 points while Greenwell and Medeiros hit for 14 and 13 points, respectively. Weimer and Medeiros each snagged five rebounds.

Menlo is now 0-2 in the Cal Pac and 4-10 overall. It will face Bethany (0-2, 1-14) at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in Scotts Valley. California Maritime is 2-0 in conference play and 11-9 overall.