Using a balanced offense, UC Santa Cruz men's basketball won against 18th-ranked Williams College 59-51. The Banana Slugs finish the calendar year 2023 at 8-8 after their first home win against a ranked team in Coach Matt Malone's three years.
 
The game started with a layup from Ian McCloskey and Zach Granberry's open three-pointer to make the score 5-0 (18:16). After, Treyson Keating, Joseph Espy, and Tyler Kessinger made layups, jumpers, and three-pointers helping the Banana Slugs extend their lead (15-8, 13:44).
 
However, the Ephs were able to come back to take the lead (16-15, 9:59). Keating made a layup to regain the lead (17-16, 9:44). It was a close half for the Banana Slugs, and the Ephs, who were tied 27-27 at halftime. 
 
The second half started with a 9-4 run, topped by a layup from Keating (36-31, 16:20). The Ephs gained back the lead from consecutive three-pointers that made the score 39-38 (14:43). Substitute Ryan Wilson made a driving layup, and then Kessinger made a beautiful three-pointer to regain the lead (43-42, 13:39). The Banana Slugs had an amazing hook shot from Zino Okah, a layup from Keating, and a jumper from Ryan Wilson (53-47, 5:04).
Okah put the finish on the game when he made an amazing steal that surprised the Ephs and then a slam dunk (57-47, 2:33).
 
Kessinger and Keating both had 11 points. Okah and McCloskey both got 9 points and  two steals. The Banana Slugs had great defense and finished with 8 steals, led by Granberry's three. UC Santa Cruz had 33 defensive rebounds to finish with a 41-36 advantage on the boards, led by Caden Breznikar's season-high 10.
 
The Banana Slugs start the new year by taking on old rival Dominican University of California on January 6th at 3:30 PM in San Rafael.