WHITTIER- The UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs traveled to Whittier California to face off with the Poets. The basketball men were able to end the game 79-74, and improved their overall record to 4-4.
 
The first half started with the Poets getting a small lead of 9-7. This did not last long, and the half ended with the Slugs leading by ten points, 41-31. The Slugs were 45% from field goals in the first half, with Calvin Keyes with 12 points already and 6 rebounds on his way towards a double-double. Avri Finch also contributed with 9 points and Tyler Kessinger with 8 points.
 
The Slugs didn't let their ten-point lead stop them from coming out of the second half strong. Two baskets by Kessinger pushed their lead to 15 at 46-31. Some foul trouble caused the Poets to slowly catch up throughout the half, and with a couple of scrappy threes, the Poets closed that 15 lead down to 3 at 55-52 with ten minutes left. However, the Slugs remained victorious and did not allow the Poets to turn the tide of the game permanently.
With the game tied at 74-all, Kessinger hit a three to give the lead back to UC Santa Cruz with under a minute left, before free-throws sealed the game.
 
The Slugs clearly came to play and showcased their wide range of talents. The second half was exciting for junior guard Ian McCloskey who scored 17 points in the half, ending the game with a career high of 19 points on 61% from the field goal scoring 8 out of 13 buckets. Kessinger ended the game with 17 points, Finch had 16 points and Keyes finished with a double-double of 12 points and team-high 10 rebounds. Another notable stat was Zino Okah's 7 assists, which matched the season-high of assists so far.
 
Whittier left the game 3-3 overall, with Bryant Howing scoring 21 points for them.
 
The Slugs continue their weekend playing Caltech tomorrow in Pasadena, CA.