Ashley Kowack scored 18 of her game-high 26 points in the second half as she became the all-time top scorer in UC Santa Cruz basketball history.
The Banana Slugs easily dispatched Bethesda 94-35 on Saturday afternoon to improve to 15-4 after their fifth-straight win.
Kowack passed the mark on a layup with 8:55 left in the fourth quarter. That made her career total one better than Kayleigh Calandri whose record of 1,496 had stood since 2009. On the next possession, Kowack drained a corner three to put her at exactly 1,500.
"I give glory to God, and I am so thankful for all of the people who have loved and supported me along the way," Kowack said after the game.
"My team is so supportive and loving, and I love them all like my sisters. I always want to make sure to focus on the team and I know we can go far this year. Coach Todd has always pushed me and helped me grow into a more mature player and person. My parents would take me to every practice and support me at all of my games, Nick Hermann was my great friend who supported me through all of my games, who helped me become the player I am today. Even after him passing in August, I channel him for every game and I feel him with me on the court. He gets me through hard practices and games.
"The points have come from all of the people that have led up to this moment, and although it's not something I cherish above the team's success, I attribute my success to the amazing people I have encountered along the way"
Kowack finished 10-20 from the field, including a season-high 6-10 from three point territory. Four of those ten makes were assisted by Kaylee Murphy, who finished with a team-high seven assists to become the second person in school history with 300 assists. Murphy added 11 points and a team-high 13 rebounds. Amanda Inserra added 12 points and Ariel Anderson scored 13 off the bench. The Banana Slugs raced to a 9-0 lead and led 26-9 at the end of the first quarter.
Overall the Banana Slugs hit 33-70 from the field (47.1%) compared to Bethesda's 13-58 (22.4%). The Banana Slugs also had a 54-31 rebound advantage over the shorthanded Flames, who dressed just six players.
The Banana Slugs will next head to Virginia as they face Mary Washington and undefeated Christopher Newport next week in C2C Conference play.
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