ORANGE- UC Santa Cruz remained in Socal this holiday season to face old rivals at Chapman University. As soon as the clock began, Jake Heberle from Chapman made an amazing 3-point  jump shot to initiate the start of an intense game. As Chapman took the lead 12- 5 the Slugs were slow in their momentum to catch up to the Panthers. Cruz Billings, soon after, made two 3 point shots to give the Panthers an even bigger lead 20-10 giving the Slugs an unsuspected challenge. Justin Yasukochi luckily made a 3 point jump shot to help Santa Cruz advance 23-16. The Slugs however slowly but surely began to rally and got within 30-26. But as the Slugs began to slowly reduce the Panthers' lead, the Panthers responded with back-to-back 3-point shots that made it 36-26. The Panthers were quick with their defense, preventing the Slugs from making a point. As the Slugs were fighting the Panthers defense, Zino Okah made a 3-point jump shot for the Slugs to make it 36-29. At the end of the first half the Panthers had the lead 49-36.
            The start of the second half the Panthers remained in the lead with a 3 point jump shot made by Billings 54-38. The Slugs held the Panthers defense as much as they could, blocking any possible shot. Tyler Kessinger made an amazing 3 point jump shot to keep the Slugs' spirit during the game. The Slugs kept their heads held high with the encouragement and cheers of  friends and family from the bleachers. As Chapman took the lead 73-50, the Slugs held off the Panthers offense to prevent them from scoring but the Panthers were quick with their defense, stealing the ball at any given moment. The final score was 92-70 with Chapman taking home the win.
Kessinger led UC Santa Cruz with 16 points while Okah added 13. The loss broke a four-game win streak for the Slugs, who will resume the season next Wednesday when they return home to face Amherst.