Saturday at the West Field House, the UC Santa Cruz women's basketball team played against the University of Northwestern. The Banana Slugs fought back from a double-digit deficit but lost 61-58. 
 
The first quarter began with Amanda Inserra, Celine Castaneda, Jenna Gorton, and Ariel Anderson all helping the Banana Slugs lead 9-6. However, the first quarter ended with the Eagles leading only by one point (14-13).
 
The Banana Slugs started the second quarter with great ball control. Talysha Wilkerson made a pass to Anderson, who made a three-pointer to keep UC Santa Cruz within one at 17-16 (8:00). The Eagles however were able to push the lead at halftime to 31-20. 
 
The third quarter started with a jumper from Lilli Hammons making the score 34-22 (9:26). Wilkerson and Gorton made layups while Inserra made a three-pointer, but the quarter ended with the Eagles still in the lead 52-36. 
 
In the fourth quarter, Castaneda started off a comeback with a driving jumper (52-38, 8:35). Inserra made back-to-back three-point baskets helping the Banana Slugs get within ten (56-46, 4:43). The run continued as Gorton then made consecutive layups, including an "and-1" to make the score 60-53 (2:14). After a Castaneda layup, the Banana Slugs forced an Eagles turnover that led to another three-pointer from Inserra, making the score 60-58 with 34 seconds left. The Eagles made only one of two free-throws, but the Banana Slugs couldn't get another attempt before the game ended.
 
Inserra got a team-high 18 points. The senior made five three-pointers to move to third all-time in program history for career three-pointers with 178. Inserra also had a steal, two blocks, and four rebounds. Gorton got 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds. 
The Banana Slug defense was outstanding with 31 defensive rebounds, five blocks, and four steals. 
 
UC Santa Cruz will regroup to face Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday, January 6th at 2:00 PM at the West Field House.