ORANGE, CA– UC Santa Cruz women's basketball lost 69-60 against Chapman University to close out their three-game road trip.

The first quarter started with the Panthers in the lead before Celine Castaneda got the first points for the Banana Slugs (5-2, 8:33). Amanda Inserra helped the Banana Slugs gain the lead in the first quarter with three consecutive three pointers making the score 13-9 (3:17). Talysha Wilkerson made a beautiful reverse layup making the score 15-13 with the Banana Slugs still in the lead (1:18). To finish the first quarter, Jenna Gorton hit a buzzer beater putback layup helping tie the match 17-17 to end the quarter.

Alexa Litchev started the second quarter strong for the Banana Slugs with a mid range jumper making the score 19-17 (9:45). Castaneda and Ariel Anderson made great baskets helping secure the lead (25-21, 5:38). The Panthers were able to gain the lead in the last two minutes of the half before Inserra made another three pointer in the last minute of the half making the score 28-27, with the Banana Slugs in the lead at halftime.

After halftime, the Panthers brought high intensity to secure the lead for the whole third quarter. Inserra was able to get another open three pointer making the score 37-31 (7:03). Yet, the Panthers finished the third quarter in the lead with a score of 43-35 after outscoring the Banana Slugs 16-7.

The fourth quarter started with the Panthers getting the first five points, but the gap was slowly closed with makes from Castaneda and Litchev making the score 52-43 (5:57). Inserra made another three pointer to cutting Chapman's lead to 61-53 (1:27). Chapman however hit their free throws when UC Santa Cruz fouled late. Uma Joshi made back-to-back three pointers making the score 66-60 (0:09) for the Banana Slugs' final points.

Inserra had the team high with 21 points on a season-best seven threes along with two steals. Castaneda had 13 points, with a team high of 7 assists and one rebound. Wilkerson had 4 of the Banana Slugs' nine steals while Anderson had three steals and two blocks. Overall, Chapman was 28-39 from the foul line while UC Santa Cruz was 5-9.

The next game for the Banana Slugs is their senior day and against Lincoln University at Kaiser Permanente Arena on February 11th at 12:00 PM.