Box Score
ORANGE - UC Santa Cruz saw its big lead evaporate but held on to defeat Chapman 85-81 on Saturday night.
The Banana Slugs split their opening roadtrip and are now 1-1 on the season. It broke a three-game losing streak to the Panthers (0-1).
Leading 42-31 at the half, UC Santa Cruz opened the second half on a 9-0 run, capped by two
Tyler Kessinger layups to build a 20-point lead with 17:46 left. The hosts chipped away and were within eight at 75-67 with under six minutes left. The Panthers missed two free throws, and
Avri Finch's putback hook put the lead back to ten at 77-67. Chapman responded with a 10-3 run to get within 3 at 80-77.
However the Panthers couldn't capitalize on free throws, going 1-4 from the line over the next minute to leave the UC Santa Cruz lead at 80-78 with 2:12 left. However, the Banana Slugs turned it over, but Chapman missed two chances to tie. Finch then hit a fade away in the lane to get the lead back to four at 82-78. Chapman answered with a three-pointer to get within 1. UC Santa Cruz then broke the Panther pressure, and Finch stepped up again with a putback to make it 84-81 with 15 seconds left.
The Panthers missed the tying three-point attempt with nine seconds left, and
Eric DeBrine got the rebound and was fouled. He went 1-2 on free throws and the Banana Slugs kept possession on the scramble to escape with their first win of the year.
Zino Okah led UC Santa Cruz with 17 points and
Ian McCloskey had 16. Kessinger and Finch each scored 15 with DeBrine having a team-high 10 rebounds. Blakeley Stoughton had a game-high 23 points to lead Chapman. UC Santa Cruz shot 50% from the field (34-68). Chapman was 45% (27-60) but were 11-12 (47.8%) from three. The Panthers were just 16-29 (55.2%) from the free-throw line, compared to 60% (12-20) for the Banana Slugs. The Banana Slugs outrebounded the hosts 50-33.
UC Santa Cruz returns to NorCal to take on Cal Maritime in Vallejo on Tuesday night.
