OLYMPIA, Wash. – In a game that featured 15 lead changes, the Evergreen Geoducks nearly picked up the upset win over the 22nd-ranked Cal Maritime Keelhaulers before falling 79-75 in a non-conference men’s basketball game on Sunday afternoon at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.

The Geoducks (1-4) got off to a quick start as a jumper by Bryce Phillip (Spanaway, Wash./Bethel HS/Green River CC) and a three-pointer by Cody Peters (Oak Harbor, Wash./Coupeville HS/Western Oregon Univ.) gave Evergreen the early 5-0 lead.   The Keelhaulers (7-1) battled back, pulling ahead by as many as eight with 4:12 left to play but a 7-0 run to end the half gave Evergreen a one-point 37-36 halftime lead.

In the second half, both teams came out strong as the Geoducks continued to control the pace.  After the Keelhaulers took the lead back with 3:33 left to play, a three-pointer by Frankie Johnson (Renton, Wash./Hazen HS) gave Evergreen a brief lead with 1:44 left to play but Jaqui Wiley made a layup with 50 seconds left as the Keelhaulers held on for the 79-75 win.

Evergreen was led by 16 points from Johnson, who also added five assists.  Kyle Calhoun (Seattle, Wash./Hazen HS/Marshalltown CC) added 14 points while Peters finished with 12 on the afternoon.  Michael Potter (Ridgefield, Wash./Ridgefield HS) led the Geoduck bench with 10 points.  Marc Taylor (Boise, Idaho/Skyview HS/Edmonds CC) nearly collected the double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.

Cal Maritime was led by 26 points from Casey Healy, who also added a team-high eight rebounds.  Blaine Blaser and Erik Hanson each added 14 in the win while Wiley finished with 10 on the game.  The Keelhaulers shot 51.8%, making 29-of-56 attempts from the field.

Evergreen will be back in action on Dec. 6 when they host Eastern Oregon to open up Cascade Conference play.  Tip with the Mountaineers is set for 7:30 p.m. at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.

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