UC Santa Cruz defeated Caltech 72-67 at the KP Arena on Sunday. This victory improved the Banana Slugs to 3-1 in their season record.

It was a tight back and forth relay between the teams, but Santa Cruz pulled ahead in the waning minutes of the First Half. Sohan Kshirsagar made a three pointer to surpass and take the lead at 19-17. Seconds later, Zino Okah dunked and solidified the lead with a block and dunk. The Banana Slugs finish the half with the lead of 39-31.
Beginning the Second Half, UC Santa Cruz pulled further ahead. The score was 41-33 two minutes in. Caltech rallied to make it 65-59 with under seven minutes left before an offensive foul was drawn on Caltech's Pavlos Stavrinides, resulting in getting him fouled out. With under four minutes, a Caltech three shortened the gap to 66-60. Caltech's Chase Pagon made two free throws in the critical last minutes, and then a crucial steal earning himself a foul, which he took advantage of by scoring two more points, shortening UC Santa Cruz's lead to 66-64. However the Slugs did not let them surpass, and continued to strengthen their lead 68-64 on free throws by Tyler Kessinger. On the next possession, Okah got a steal. The Caltech fans can be heard stomping and shouting in unison, but Kessinger was unfazed on the free throws, successfully earning the Banana Slugs an extra two points to make the score 70-65. Kessinger then stole it, but Caltech steals it back. Caltech's Ben Juarez was fouled and added two points to the scoresheet, making the score 70-67.

After Caltech's 10th personal foul with 5 seconds left, Kessinger sinks two free throws for the Final score of 72-67.
Kessinger led UC Santa Cruz with 15 points and 5 assists and Okah scored 14. Avri Finch had 13 with 15 rebounds.
UC Santa Cruz next plays old rival Menlo College Tuesday night in Atherton.