ORANGE, CA –– A big second-half comeback fueled UC Santa Cruz to a 71–65 win at old rival Chapman on Thursday night. The Banana Slugs are now 2-1 on the season.
 
Chapman led by four at halftime, and the host Panthers made it a 39–32 lead 30 seconds into the second half before the Banana Slugs started their comeback. Ian McCloskey's layup started a 9-2 run which gave the Banana Slugs a 43–41 lead with under 14:00 to play. After Chapman tied it two more times, Zino Okah made a three-pointer from the corner with 11:21 left to give UC Santa Cruz the lead at 48-45.
 
Consecutive three-pointers by Tyler Kessinger then made it 56-47 with under 7:00 to play, and Treyson Keating's old-fashioned three point play after Ryan Wilson's amazing assist gave UC Santa Cruz their biggest lead at 60-49 with 6:00 to play. UC Santa Cruz held off Chapman the rest of the way for the hard-earned victory.
 
Kessinger led UC Santa Cruz with 22 points, including going 5-6 from long range. Keating added nine points and a team-high nine rebounds while Okah finished with eight points, eight rebounds and tied his career-high with seven assists.
 
UC Santa Cruz next plays at Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday as part of a doubleheader.