COLORADO SPRINGS- UC Santa Cruz stayed close with hosts Colorado College for the whole game, but a late 14-4 run by the Tigers decided the game as they held off the Banana Slugs 82-69 on Saturday.
The Banana Slugs (8-9) led 43-40 at the half and pushed the lead to 45-40 after Zino Okah's steal and basket to start the second half. The Tigers tied it at 45 however. The game was close until the Tigers had a four-point play with 10:10 remaining to push it to a 59-51 lead. Avri Finch had an "And-1" to make it a three-point game at 61-58 with 8:00 left.

Finch kept it close with another old-fashioned three-point play to keep it at 68-65 with 4:03 left. However, the Tigers then went on their run which clinched the game, holding the Banana Slugs to just one field goal the rest of the way while hitting 10-11 free-throws.
The difference turned out to be free-throws, as Colorado College was 28-33 for the game (84.8%) while the Banana Slugs were 18-23 (78.3%).

Okah led UC Santa Cruz with 19 points, plus two blocks and three steals. Ian McCloskey added 15, and First Year Justin Yasukochi had a season-high 12 points off the bench.
The road trip continues for UC Santa Cruz next Thursday when they play at Cal Maritime.