NEWPORT NEWS, VA – After six years without beating a ranked team, UC Santa Cruz men's basketball pulled off their second win over the top twenty in a month on Thursday.
Three Banana Slugs scored in double figures as UC Santa Cruz never trailed in the second half of their 79-62 win at No. 17 Christopher Newport. The Banana Slugs improve to 9-10 after their first win in six tries against the Captains, who fell to 16-5.
It is the second win over a ranked team this season for UC Santa Cruz, after their win over 18th-ranked Williams on December 30th.
The first half was close early with two ties and five lead changes. An 8-0 run midway through the half gave the hosts their biggest lead at 21-14 with 12:08 left until halftime. However, the Banana Slugs then found their composure and slowly worked their way back.
Zino Okah completed the comeback with a three-pointer from the wing that gave the Banana Slugs a 33-30 lead at the break.
The second half was all UC Santa Cruz.
Treyson Keating's three-pointer opened a 7-0 run that gave the Banana Slugs a 40-30 lead with 15:49 remaining. Four free-throws got the Captains back within six at 40-34, but UC Santa Cruz responded with a 23-4 run capped by three free throws from
Zach Granberry after a technical and then another three-pointer by Okah to close the possession. That gave the Banana Slugs a 63-38 lead with 8:40 left. The hosts got within thirteen twice, but UC Santa Cruz kept scoring down the stretch to come away with the monumental win.
Okah had a career-high 26 points along with 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Keating had 13 points and
Ian McCloskey scored 11.
Caden Breznikar added eight points as well as a career-high four assists. Overall, UC Santa Cruz was 45% (23-51) from the field, including a season-high 11 three-pointers on 21 attempts. The Banana Slugs also had a 40-39 rebound advantage.
UC Santa Cruz continues the Coast-To-Coast Conference road trip on Saturday when they play Salisbury University on a neutral court in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
