ATHERTON, CA- UC Santa Cruz women's basketball played Menlo College this Wednesday evening at Haynes-Prim Pavilion and lost 81-67.
 
The game started with Celine Castaneda contributing the first points of the game (2-0, 9:32) followed by a layup from Lilli Hammons (4-0, 8:35). Yet, the Oaks were able to bounce back and gain an 8-point lead. After free throw shots by Alexa Litchev and a layup from Hammons, the Banana Slugs were trailing by 4 points (14-10, 4:05). The last shot of the quarter was from Ariel Anderson, making a nothing-but-net three-pointer with the score being 18-15 at the end of the first quarter.

It was a hard-fought second quarter for the Banana Slugs. Alyssa Jackson started off strong with a jumper and Uma Joshi buried a three-pointer, making the score (23-20, 7:46). The Oaks were able to get a 7-point lead until Amanda Inserra, Jenna Gorton, and Litchev made consecutive layups putting the Banana Slugs only behind by one point (36-35, 1:17). However, Oaks were able to secure the halftime lead at 39-35.

Inserra started the third quarter off strong, with a three-pointer making the score 41-38 (9:22). With the Oaks in the lead by 7, Litchev drove in and made the score 47-42 (6:28). Inserra made another three-point jump shot, and then Jackson had a jumper right after to bring the game within 2 (49-47, 5:33). Both Litchev and Anderson fueled the comeback with layups making the score 52-51 (3:51) before Litchev helped the Banana Slugs tie the Oaks with a free throw (52-52, 2:07). The Oaks ended the quarter in the lead by 1.

Inserra gained the Banana Slugs the lead in the fourth quarter with back-to-back shots to make the score 59-57 (7:52). Anderson helped keep the lead with free throw shots (61-59, 6:04). However, the Oaks made the most of their opportunities and gained a 12-point lead (76-64, 2:19), and UC Santa Cruz couldn't get close again.
 
Litchev and Inserra both had 15 points. Inserra had two steals, while Litchev had four. Anderson had 14 points with one steal, one block, and five rebounds.
 
The Banana Slugs will next play against Bethesda University on Friday, January 19th, at 1:00 PM at West Field House.