PASADENA- The UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs traveled to Pasadena, California to confront the Caltech Beavers. The men's basketball team defeated Caltech 64-46 making an advancement of 5-4 in their overall record.
 
The first half started with the Banana Slugs pulling slightly ahead while holding down on their defense. Caltech continued to put up shots, but many attempts could only reach the rim. Early in the half, Treyson Keating makes an impressive assist as he weaves through the Beavers' defense, resulting in a layup by Eric DeBrine to double the Slugs lead to 8-4.  DeBrine also proved to be a powerful defensive force, leading the team in rebounds with 5 for the half. A cold spell by the Slugs let Caltech take the lead at 16-13. Avri Finch makes waves as he shortens the differential with a field goal and free throw. The Banana Slugs continued to play strong and finished off the half trailing just 22-20.
 
The Slugs came out in the second half determined to overtake the Beavers, although they proved a tough opponent as they opened with two makes for an early seven-point lead at 27-20. Tyler Kessinger was able to create momentum for the Banana Slugs with a 3 of his own and the Banana slugs continued to close in on the lead. A field goal by Zino Okah levels the scoreboard 29-29 and Ian McCloskey gets the Slugs a 2-point lead shortly after with 15 minutes left.
Tyler Kessinger proves a key playmaker as he helps to expand the Banana Slug's lead with two points and an assist with 13 minutes to go. He stands with the most assists by the end of the half. The Slugs' resilience pays off as they push to a 10-point lead at 43-33 off Eric DeBrine's cool 3 pointer. The Beavers slowly came back throughout the half, but could not catch up to the Banana Slugs who continued to hold the double-digit lead throughout the rest of the half. In the final minute, First-Year Elijah Brookes earned himself two free throws which he delivered on to solidify the Slugs' impressive lead of 20 points.
 
The Banana Slugs brought their A-game,  giving their supporters an exciting second half with a total of 44 points scored. McCloskey ended as the highest point holder of the half with 12, and Kessinger came close with 11. However, it was Kessinger who took home the highest point total with 16. Avri Finch leveled with McCloskey as both ended with 12 points overall, and Finch also took the team-high of 9 rebounds.
 
Caltech went to 2-5 overall, and Chase Pagon scored a game high of 13 points for the Beavers.