THOUSAND OAKS - Ashley Kowack led UC Santa Cruz with 22 points as the Banana Slugs defeated Cal Lutheran 57-44 on Saturday.
UC Santa Cruz improves to 12-4 and swept the season series from the Regals for the first time since 2013-14.

Cal Lutheran scored the last two baskets of the first quarter to lead 13-10 after ten minutes. However, UC Santa Cruz answered with an 18-4 run in the second, holding the hosts to just one field goal while forcing nine turnovers to lead 28-17 at the half
CLU hit a pair of free throws to open the third before Kowack converted an "And-1" which gave UC Santa Cruz a 31-19 lead 1:22 into the third. The Regals got to within 7 before Amanda Inserra hit a three with 8 seconds left to make it 42-32 after the third.
The Banana Slugs kept the momentum and led by as much as 19 points in the final quarter before a late comeback accounted for the final margin.
Kowack shot 8-18 from the field, including 3-8 three pointers. She also had a season-high six steals, going over 100 for her career. 
Kaylee Murphy had team-highs of 11 rebounds and eight assists to go with five points.
Overall, the Banana Slugs shot 36.8% from the field (21-57) and forced the Regals into 24 turnovers. UC Santa Cruz finishes the roadtrip on Sunday afternoon when they take on Pomona-Pitzer.