UC Santa Cruz saw a lead evaporate in the last minute, but made their free-throws when they counted and survived a last second attempt from Puget Sound to edge the Loggers 68-67 on Friday night to open the Slugs Holiday Classic.

The Banana Slugs (4-5) won their second-straight game, but it wasn't easy.

UCSC had a 31-22 lead at halftime, but a 17-8 run tied it with under five minutes remaining in the third. Eventually, the Loggers scored 27 points in the third to have a 49 - 43 lead going into the last ten minutes.

The Banana Slugs got within 49-47 after a pair of Kaylee Murphy baskets, but Puget Sound answered with a three by Mara Henderson to push it back to a 52-47 lead with seven minutes left. The Banana Slugs stayed focused and tied it at 54-all with under five left courtesy of an "And-1" by Murphy.

A 12-5 run run gave UCSC a 66-59 lead with under 40 seconds, but the Loggers weren't done. Two three-pointers sandwiched around two UCSC misses at the foul line got Puget Sound to within 1 at 66-65 with 18.4 seconds left. After another pair of misses by the Slugs, the Loggers raced up and got a layup to take a 67-66 lead with 12.8 left.

After UCSC advanced it after a timeout, Savannah Henson was fouled and made both free-throws with 7.1 seconds left to restore UCSC's lead at 1. Puget Sound had two shots to win it, but the last attempt hung agonizingly on the back of the rim before falling off at the buzzer to give UCSC the dramatic win.

Murphy led UCSC with career-highs of 20 points, 22 rebounds and six blocks. The 22 rebounds was the third-highest total in school history. Ashley Kowack and CJ Catina each had 13 points and Emily Mitchell had 12.

Giavanna Sorn led the Loggers (3-2) with 12 points off the bench while Jamie Lange had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.