NAPA, Calif. - Menlo College took to the road and picked up its biggest win of the season on Saturday night when it defeated No. 1 seed Cal Maritime 65-61 in the California Pacific Conference Tournament semifinals at Napa Valley College. 

The third time was the charm for the fourth-seeded Oaks (12-15), who fell to Cal Maritime (18-13) in two previous Cal Pac contests during the season, each time by a single point. With the victory, Menlo advances to the Cal Pac Tournament's championship game on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at No. 2 William Jessup (16-13). Menlo defeated William Jessup 64-56 in Atherton two weeks ago and dropped the teams' first meeting of the season 77-70 in Rocklin.

Menlo continued its efficient play while the favored Keelhaulers were not dominated in area of play, just outplayed across the board by the Oaks. Defense was key for Menlo, who forced 16 turnovers and limited Cal Maritime to just 39.2 percent shooting from the field, including only 40.5 percent from inside the arc. Menlo was again protective of the basketball, giving the ball away only nine times.

 

The Oaks led 26-24 at halftime and used its experience in close games to make plays late in the victory.

 

Julian Harris scored 20 points to lead Menlo, also grabbing five rebounds with three steals. Point guard Dejon Grant stepped up again for the Oaks, scoring 15 points on 7-of-13 shooting with five steals. Nick McCullar scored 11 points and Andrew Young had seven rebounds.

 

Cal Maritime's Michael Weimer scored a game-high 22 points while Jordan Birchell scored 11 points with 11 rebounds. The Keelhaulers starting backcourt of Andrew Medeiros combined to shoot 4-for-20 from the field - 2-of-9 from the outside - for 14 points in 68 minutes of action.