PASADENA (12-28) – UC Santa Cruz played their second game in as many days as they took on California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. The Banana Slugs used a strong second half effort and defeated the Beavers 60-45
Both teams won their last game. The Banana Slugs won 69-56 over Whittier College yesterday in Whittier while the Beavers won 60-44 over Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago on December 19th.
In the first quarter, the Banana Slugs started the game on a 9-3 run capped by a pair of Jenna Sparks free throws with 4:33 left in the quarter. The closest that the Beavers would come would be two, at 11-9, on a Kate Lewis layup with 1:10 left in the quarter. The Banana Slugs would gain their largest lead of the quarter at seven, at 16-9, on a Sonya Ivanovic three pointer with one second left. The Banana Slugs led 16-9 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Banana Slugs would gain their largest lead of the half at nine, at 18-9, on a Kim Tom layup with 9:25 left in the half. The Beavers would then use a 16-7 run, capped by a pair of Madeline Schemel free throws, to tie the game at 25-25 with twenty eight seconds left in the half. The Banana Slugs would take the lead right before the half, with seven seconds left, on a CJ Catina three pointer to give the Banana Slugs a 28-25 lead. The Banana Slugs led 28-25 at the half.
In the third quarter, the Banana Slugs started the quarter on a 6-0 run, capped by a Sonya Ivanovic three pointer with 7:18 left in the quarter, to give the Banana Slugs a 34-25 lead. The Beavers would then go on a 10-4 run, capped by an Elizabeth Eiden layup with 1:28 left, to trim the Banana Slugs lead to 38-35. The Banana Slugs led 38-35 at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Banana Slugs would expand on their lead. The Beavers would come as close as one, at 38-37, on a Nika Haleftiras jumper with 9:29 left. The Banana Slugs would gain a double-digit lead, at 53-41, on an Ivanovic three pointer with 5:59 left. The Banana Slugs would gain their largest lead of the ballgame at fifteen, at 60-45, on a Catina free throw with twelve seconds left. The Banana Slugs won 60-45 for their fourth consecutive victory.
Dimson had seventeen points to lead the Banana Slugs. Samantha D'Costa had a game high nineteen points for the Beavers. Ivanovic had nine points and Catina and Tyler Stewart had eight points apiece in the win. Lewis and Schemel had eight apiece and Eiden had six points for the Beavers.
The Banana Slugs shot 30.9% (21-68) from the field, 26.3% (10-38) from the three-point line and was 53.3% (8-15) from the free throw line. The Beavers shot 36.7% (18-49) from the field, 0% (0-4) from the three-point line and 52.9% (9-17) from the foul line. UC Santa Cruz's defense forced twenty three Beaver turnovers scoring nineteen points off the turnovers while the Beavers' defense forced twelve turnovers by UC Santa Cruz scoring nine points off the turnovers. California Tech outrebounded UC Santa Cruz 42-41 and the Banana Slugs had seven more second chance points (15-8) than did the Beavers.
The Banana Slugs will finish up their three game road trip tomorrow as they take on Wheaton College in Whittier. Tip-off is set for 4 pm.