PORTLAND, Ore. – The UC Santa Cruz women's basketball put up a determined effort but fell 51-43 to Lewis & Clark on Saturday at the Pamplin Sports Center. The Banana Slugs kept the game competitive throughout, making key plays on both ends of the floor.
 
How It Happened
The Slugs struck first with two points from Alexa Litchev making the game's opening layup, but the Pioneers ended up with a 9-8 lead to end the first before extending that lead to 26-21 to go into halftime. Lewis and Clark managed to build as much as a 13 point lead in the third quarter, but UCSC rallied to cut the deficit to six points after baskets from Alyssa Jackson and Alexa Litchev with 43 seconds left in the third. That would be the closest the Slugs would get as Lewis and Clark navigated the final 10 minutes well to hand the Slugs a 51-43 loss.
 
Alexa Litchev led UCSC with 13 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. Emilie Ngo and Jenna Gorton each contributed eight points, with Gorton adding six rebounds off the bench. Claire Galbo chipped in six points and grabbed five rebounds in a strong all-around performance.
 
The Banana Slugs collected 28 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass, and forced 14 turnovers to generate extra scoring opportunities. Their effort on the boards and defensive intensity kept the game close until the final moments.
 
UCSC returns home to host Whittier College on Sunday, December 29th, at Kaiser Permanente Arena.