CLAREMONT (11-18) – UC Santa Cruz continued their season opening road trip as they took on Pomona-Pitzer in Claremont. The Sagehens outscored the Banana Slugs by eleven in the second half en route to a 74-66 victory.
In the first half, the Sagehens opened the game on a 13-6 run, but the Banana Slugs responded with a 25-11 run, capped by a Caden Breznikar free throw with 7:46 left, to gain the lead at 31-24. The Banana Slugs gained their largest lead of the ballgame at eight at 38-30 on a Joe Espy layup with 4:59 left in the half. The Sagehens would finish the half on an 8-3 run but the Banana Slugs led at halftime 41-38.
The Banana Slugs would gain their largest lead of the half at 47-40 on a Tyler Kessinger jumper with 17:57 left. From that point however, the Sagehens went on a 23-13 run, capped by a three pointer with 5:21 left, to take the lead for good at 63-60.

Ian McCloskey led the Banana Slugs with 16 points and five assists in the loss. Kessinger and Zino Okah each had 13 points apiece with Okah adding seven rebounds.
The Banana Slugs (2-2) will wrap up their Southern California trip tomorrow as they take on California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. Tipoff is set for noon.