PASADENA - UC Santa Cruz held host Caltech to 33.3% from the field in a 78-60 win in the season opener.
The Beavers were close early, using the three-point line to build an 11-6 lead with 5:40 left in the opening quarter. UC Santa Cruz then turned up the defense, as two steals and a block jumpstarted a 14-2 run the rest of the quarter to take a 22-13 lead at the break. The Banana Slugs opened the second quarter with a 14-5 run for a 36-18 lead 4:12 before halftime and never let the Beavers within single-digits again.

Kaylee Murphy had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Murphy also had two blocks plus a team-high five assists to pass Rachel Ocampo for third place on the school's career chart. Ashley Kowack also scored 16, including going 3-7 from three-point range. Lindsay Zientek added 12 points and three steals off the bench. Overall, UC Santa Cruz shot 31-65 (47.7%) from the field and 11-15 (73.3%) from the line.

The season-opening roadtrip continues with a game at Whittier Sunday afternoon.