PASADENA- The UC Santa Cruz Women's Basketball team played against the California Institute of Technology on Sunday and won 72-57. 

The game started with the Banana Slugs producing high intensity and had great possessions. In the first few seconds of the game, Alexa Litchev made a great shot (2-0, 9:47). The Slugs were in the lead with 9 points from shots by Lilli Hammons, Lindsay Zientek, and Uma Joshi (22-13, 2:35). The first quarter ended with the score being 26-15 in favor of the Banana Slugs.

The second quarter was another great one for the Banana Slugs. UC Santa Cruz led by ten after Amanda Inserra made a 3-pointer (29-19, 5:53). The Banana Slug defense made many rebounds and steals throughout the quarter. A beautiful play started from Zientek who passed it to Hammons making the score 41-21 (1:15). The half ended with the Banana Slugs in the lead, 43-23. 

The third quarter was an intense one for the Banana Slugs, as Caltech was coming back from two tough quarters. However, Litchev was able to get two shots in before the quarter ended making the score 58-42.

The fourth quarter started with Inserra stealing the ball and helping set up the next play - a 3-pointer by Uma Joshi with an assist from Talysha Wilkerson (63-42, 9:04). The Banana Slugs had great possessions and made outstanding plays to ensure that the Beavers would not come back. The fourth quarter ended with the score being 72-57. 

Inserra had a team-high of 22 points, four steals, and 8 rebounds. Hammons had 13 points, two steals, and nine rebounds. Altogether as a team, the Slugs had 41 rebounds, 11 steals, and caused 17 Caltech turnovers.

The Banana Slugs (3-1) will have their home opener on November 24th when they play Bethany College at Kaiser Permanente Arena in the UCSC Thanksgiving Classic. Tip off is at 3:00 PM.