Box Score
PORTLAND, OR– In the final game of the Lewis and Clark Thanksgiving Classic,  UC Santa Cruz Men's Basketball played Pacific Lutheran University and lost 91-90. 

It was a passionate first half for the Banana Slugs. Tyler Kessinger made a nothing-but-net three-pointer making the score 3-4 (18:58) The Lutes were in the lead until Joseph Espy tipped the ball into the basket helping the Banana Slugs tie (15-15, 14:53). The Banana Slugs were in the lead by amazing shots from Zach Granberry, Ian McCloskey, Caden Breznikar, and Nelson Etuk (24-19, 10:06). However, the Lutes were able to come back and the first half ended with Pacific Lutheran in the lead 43-42. 

The second half started with a jump shot made by Zino Okah gaining the lead for the Banana Slugs (44-43, 19:37). The Lutes and the Banana Slugs continued to alternate being in the lead. In the last two minutes of the match, Breznikar, McCloskey, Etuk, and Okah made back-to-back shots to help the Banana Slugs recover from a 13-point deficit to getting within four (85-89, 0:21). After two perfect free throws by Okah, there were 17 seconds left in the match, with the score being 87-89. The Banana Slugs fouled again to stop the clock, but the Lutes were able to make both free throw shots securing the match with a 4-point lead (87-91, 0:13). In the last second of the game, Etuk made a buzzer-beating three-pointer for the final score.

Okah had the team high with 25 points, as well as one block, one steal, and three assists. The Banana Slugs defense was outstanding with three blocks altogether. Kessinger had 12 points and five rebounds. McCloskey, Etuk, and Espy each contributed 11 points to the scoreboard.

The Banana Slugs (4-4) will next play Pomona-Pitzer Colleges on December 3rd at Claremont at 2:00 PM.