#3 Northern New Mexico's 2nd half surge propels them to the conference Finals

The #2 seed and tournament host Cal Maritime took an 8-point lead in the first half against #3 Northern New Mexico in the final game of the Cal Pac tournament women's semi-final match. The winner takes on #1 Simpson to earn a Cal Pac championship and automatic bid into the NAIA tournament. It was the first meeting between both programs. The Keelhaulers who were 5-1 in conference play shot 45% in the first half including 7 threes to take the first half lead. 

Jessica Huffhines (15 points) and Emily Newton (12) led the Keelhaulers in the first half. Aysia Santos, this year's Cal Pac first team selection added 8 points. Northern New Mexico's Romina Lopez and first team selection Jayden Jenkins added 8 points a piece for the Eagles before intermission. 

Northern New Mexico stormed out of the gate on a 16-0 run in the second half to give the Eagles a 53-43 lead. The Keelhaulers broke the streak on a field goal from Santos but the Eagles kept coming and stopped every Keelhauler run as Jenkins would hit a layup at the buzzer to put the Eagles up 63-54 and finishing on a 28-11 run.

The Keelhaulers would go on a run late as they closed the gap to a point when Santos scored late but failed to convert on the game-tying free throw with :20 seconds to go. After a Northern New Mexico timeout and a one point lead, Rhianna Padilla would hit 4 clutch free throws in the closing seconds to give Northern New Mexico the decisive victory.

Jenkins would finish with 22 points, 9 rebounds (5 offensive). Cal Maritime's Jessica Huffhines led all scorers with 26 points, 7 rebounds and Santos finished with 16 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. 

Northern New Mexico faces #1 seed Simpson tomorrow in the California Pacific Conference Championships tomorrow at 8:00pm.

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