BELTON, Tx. – UC Santa Cruz women's basketball faced a tough test on Friday, falling 73-54 to Mary Hardin-Baylor. The Banana Slugs played with intensity, keeping the game within reach for much of the contest, but a late surge from the Crusaders proved too much to overcome.
 
How It Happened
UCSC started strong, battling to stay within single digits at halftime with UMHB leading 35-26 at the break. The Crusaders outcored the Slugs 21-14 in the first 10 minutes but UCSC managed to nearly go point for point in the second with UMHB taking the quarter 14-12. The Slugs held Mary Hardin-Baylor to just 11 points in the third quarter, showcasing their defensive grit while narrowing the gap. However, the Crusaders found their rhythm in the final period, pulling away in the closing minutes.
 
Alexa Litchev led the Banana Slugs with a dominant performance, scoring 24 points on 7-of-13 shooting and grabbing nine rebounds. Emilie Ngo contributed nine points, five rebounds, and two steals, while Jenna Gorton added seven points and nine rebounds, providing a steady presence in the paint.
 
The Banana Slugs were strong on the boards, finishing with 41 rebounds, including 18 on the offensive glass, which created valuable second-chance opportunities. UCSC showed their hustle defensively, forcing Mary Hardin-Baylor into several tough possessions.
 
UC Santa Cruz will aim to bounce back in their next matchup against East Texas Baptist on Sunday, January 5th, in Marshall, Texas.