Junior Zino Okah scored 16 of his team-high 23 points in the second half as UC Santa Cruz defeated Puget Sound 75-72 in the Holiday Classic at Kaiser Permanente Arena.
UC Santa Cruz improved to 7-7 on the season and finished a season-sweep over the Loggers (4-6).
"We knew they were going to come out strong against us," said Okah after the game. "It took us a while, but in the second half we dug in and we were able to see out the win. It was a great team effort."
After Puget Sound took an 11-point lead at 36-25 five minutes before halftime, Okah had a free-throw and a block that started a 17-3 Banana Slug run the rest of the half, during which the Loggers didn't make a single field goal. Joseph Espy tied it at 39-all with under 30 seconds left, and the Banana Slugs got the lead with a second left after Ryan Wilson stole the ball and found Caden Breznikar for a three-pointer to make it 42-39 at the break.

Okah opened the second half with a basket that made it a five-point lead. The Loggers responded and were able to take the lead back at 50-48 on a three-pointer with 14:01 left. Espy tied it at 50-all, and then had a block on the next possession that started a fast break and finished with Zach Granberry making two free-throws to give the Banana Slugs the lead back at 52-50. The Banana Slugs never trailed again, but had to hold off the Loggers' comeback over the last 12 minutes. Okah scored UC Santa Cruz's final six points down the stretch, courtesy of a three-pointer with 40.6 seconds left and then going 3-4 on free-throws.

Okah finished 6-14 on field goals and went 9-14 from the line to earn a spot on the All-Tournament team. He was 6-10 from the line in the second half, and also had a team-high nine rebounds. Wilson had a season-high 15 points to go with three assists.
Taj Phillips led Puget Sound with game-highs of 28 points and six assists.
The Banana Slugs next play on December 28th at 1:00pm when they host Redlands at the West Field House.