GARDEN GROVE (2-8) - A third-quarter burst let UC Santa Cruz pull away from pesky Bethesda for a 79-42 win.

UCSC (11-11) shot 48.4% (30-62) from the field, including 10-33 from three to sweep the season series against the Flames (0-28).

Bethesda got a quick lead to start the game and forced five turnovers in the first quarter. A Lauren Todd putback at the buzzer left the hosts within 20-11 at the end of one quarter. The Flames crept within 20-15 3:34 into the second, and were within single-digits for most of the way until UCSC ran off a 15-5 run the final 4:36 of the quarter, highlighted by Orange County native Maddie Brauer going the length of the court for a buzzer-beating layup and send UCSC into the break up 43-28.

The second half was all Banana Slugs, as a Lilli Hammons layup closed an 11-0 run to open the third and put Santa Cruz in front 54-28. The Flames hit just 2 field goals in the period as the Banan Slugs entered the final ten minutes up 59-32. The Banana Slugs got to use their bench the rest of the way to close out the win.

Ashley Kowack led UCSC with 16 points in the win. The sophomore passed Megan Gaynor (2004-07) for 11th in career points at UCSC. Fellow sophomore Kaylee Murphy had 10 points to go with 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Zion Gabriel had a team-high 3 steals off the bench. Tanika Stephenson led the Flames with game-highs of 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals. 

The Banana Slugs close out their roadtrip Sunday afternoon when they play St. Katherine in Oceanside