Sentinel staff report
SANTA CRUZ It would've taken an upset for UC Santa Cruz to reach the final of its Banana Slug Invitational, but that's what it had in mind. UCSC held a lead past halftime. and midway into the second half, but Cal Lutheran pulled away late in the game to win 70-60 in the first round of the four-team men's basketball tournament Friday at the West Field House.
Cal Lutheran, which is 8-1 and finished 19-6 last season, plays Lewis & Clark, an 87-77 winner over Chapman, in the championship tonight at 7:30. UCSC (4-5) plays Chapman for third place.

Adam Todd scored 22 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and had four assists for the Banana Slugs. Freshman guard Jason Semanisin got the start and scored 12 points,and center Chad Wells grabbed 11 rebounds.
UCSC led 37-29 late in the first half and 37-31 at halftime, but shot only 27 percent in the second half (7 for 26) from the floor to allow the Kingsmen to take the lead with nine minutes left, 48-46, completing a 19-7 run. UCSC tried to rally with outside shooting, but the Banana Slugs made only two of 10 in the second half.

Meanwhile, Cal Lutheran buried five of eight three-pointers in the second half, and guard Christian Dunbar made nine of 18 in the game to finish with a game-high 23 points. The clincher for the Kingsmen was making 12 of 16 second-half free throws to seven of 12 for UCSC.