Alexa Litchev made two free throws with 0.5 seconds left to give UC Santa Cruz a phenomenal 61-60 win over previously undefeated Hamilton College at Kaiser Permanente Arena.
The Banana Slugs improve to 5-6 after breaking a five-game winless streak.

The game was close throughout the first half. After Hamilton took an 18-14 lead with under seven minutes left, UC Santa Cruz finished with a 12-4 run for a 26-22 halftime lead. The highlight in the run was Amanda Inserra's second four-point play of the week that gave the Banana Slugs a 24-22 lead with 1:21 left.

UC Santa Cruz pushed the lead to 31-25 2:50 into the third quarter after Ariel Anderson's "And-1", and the lead was 44-34 with 3:30 left after Litchev hit a short jumper that forced a Hamilton timeout. The lead grew to 13 with 6:06 left in the fourth quarter after another Inserra three-pointer, but Hamilton mounted a huge comeback from that point. After Hamilton tied it at 59-all, the Continentals had a chance to take the lead with 3.6 seconds and made one of two free throws. UC Santa Cruz called time out to advance the ball, and Litchev was fouled on the third inbound attempt while attempting a layup. The first-year from San Diego calmly scored her two attempts, and the Banana Slugs celebrated after Hamilton's desperation heave fell well short.

Litchev finished with eight points and was a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line. Anderson led the Banana Slugs with 16 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Jenna Gorton had three of the Banana Slugs' season-high eight blocks.
Overall, the Banana Slugs were 19-49 from the field (38.8%) and 20-22 (90.9%) on free throws.

UC Santa Cruz is off for the next six days until they host Wisconsin-Platteville Wednesday at the West Field House.