SPOKANE, WA (12-9)- UC Santa Cruz men's basketball played against Whitworth University this Saturday evening and won 65-63 to finish a two-game roadtrip.
 
The game started with Caden Breznikar having a driving layup that helped the Banana Slugs tie up with the Pirates (2-2, 19:06). The Banana Slugs stayed in the lead with a beautiful shot from Ian McCloskey (10-8, 14:16). Until the Pirates gained a five-point lead from layups and free throw shots. The Banana Slugs gained back the lead from a three-pointer from Breznikar (15-15, 10:55) and a layup from Treyson Keating (17-12, 10:13). With many great shots from McCloskey, Breznikar, Keating, Zino Okah, and Joseph Espy, the Banana Slugs were able to stay in the lead. The first half ended with a layup from Espy that made the score 33-28 (0:13).
 
The Banana Slugs started the second half with a beautiful nothing-but-net three-pointer made by McCloskey with an assist from Zach Granberry (36-30, 19:16). The Banana Slugs stayed in the lead throughout the half with layups from Keating, Okah, and Espy (44-34, 14:27). Breznikar had a great half with a nothing-but-net three-pointer (49-38, 12:06) and a block ensuring that the Pirates would not get a point. The Pirates were eventually able to make shots to reduce the Banana Slugs' 13-point lead to two (58-56, 3:21).
In the last minute of the half, the Pirates fouled Okah, who made both of the free throws to make the score 65-62 (0:19). However, the Banana Slugs were able to finish this match strong, and won with the score being 65-63.
 
McCloskey had a team-high 23 points and four rebounds. Keating had 12 points, one steal, two blocks, and 12 rebounds. Okah had 10 points, one steal, and a career-high 15 rebounds for his second double-double of the weekend. Breznikar had ten points.  Altogether, the Banana Slugs defense had five steals and three blocks in their first-ever victory over the Pirates.
 
After a week off for finals, the Banana Slugs (5-6) will next play against Puget Sound at Kaiser Permanente (2-4) on Monday, December 18th at 1:00 PM.