FREDERICKSBURG, VA – UC Santa Cruz men's basketball competed and won against Salisbury University 65-63 to continue their winning streak in Coast-To-Coast Conference play.
The Banana Slugs improve to 10-10 after their first-ever win against the Seagulls (12-8).
 
The first half started with Zino Okah getting the first six points for the Banana Slugs with back-to-back three-pointers making the score 7-6 (15:44). Then, Tyler Kessinger made a beautiful all-net three-pointer (12-9, 4:07). After the Seagulls had a turnover, Treyson Keating secured possession and passed the ball to Nelson Etuk who put the Banana Slugs in the lead 13-12 (10:18). There were many great shots by Ryan Wilson and Joseph Espy, but the Seagulls were able to gain the lead back and finished the half in the lead with the score being 33-26.
 
The second half started with a good transition off a defensive rebound from Caden Breznikar into a three-pointer for Okah making the score 29-37 (18:18). The Banana Slugs had great possession with high intensity helping Espy secure points and closing the gap to five (41-46, 11:44). The Banana Slugs then tied it after two perfect free throws and a one-handed shot from Okah (49-49 8:15).
 
With the intensity ramping up the game in the last minute of the tied game, Ian McCloskey ran down the clock until the last few seconds making a jumper with 3.7 seconds to take the lead with the eventual winning score.
 
Okah had a team-high 21 points along with 3 rebounds. Espy had 17 points and 6 rebounds. Overall, UC Santa Cruz's defense was outstanding with 4 steals and 29 defensive rebounds. Etuk had 4 of UC Santa Cruz's 7 blocks.
 
UC Santa Cruz finishes the Coast-To-Coast Conference road trip on Sunday, January 28th at 9:00am Pacific against the University of Mary Washington at Fredericksburg Virginia.