The 21st-ranked UC Santa Cruz women's basketball team survived a determined Whitworth team as the Banana Slugs held on for a 58-57 win at Kaiser Permanente Arena.

UC Santa Cruz improved to 7-0 on the season.

UC Santa Cruz took the lead for good when an "And-One" by Lilli Hammons capped a 12-6 run that made it 26-23 with 2:46 left in the second quarter. The hosts led 33-27 at halftime before Kaylee Murphy gave UC Santa Cruz their biggest lead of the game with her layup less than two minutes into the third made it 39-29. The Pirates came back again, however, and were within three at 49-46 with 0:55 remaining in the period, setting up a wild final quarter where both teams' defenses kept the contest within two possessions.

The Pirates had three chances in the last minute to win it with a three-pointer, however they managed two airballs and a rattler off the front rim as the buzzer sounded.

Ashley Kowack led the Banana Slugs with 12 points. Murphy added 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Amanda Inserra added eight points, including UC Santa Cruz's last two baskets of the game. Aubrey Wagner had nine points and four of the Banana Slugs' nine total steals.

Whitworth's Olivia Mayer led all players with 24 points.

The Banana Slugs take on their biggest test of the season next week when they travel to Division I Santa Clara on Sunday December 4th.