CLAREMONT, CA. – The UC Santa Cruz men's basketball team earned a strong 87–61 win over Willamette on Monday afternoon at Roberts Pavilion. Joe Espy led the way with 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Caden Breznikar added 15 points and 17 rebounds in a standout performance. Thomas Conley and Leo Wagner each scored 11 points. UCSC dominated the boards with 56 rebounds and scored 44 points in the paint. The Slugs will play again on Saturday, December 6, when they travel to face George Fox University.

How It Happened
UCSC opened with strong defense and rebounding, overcoming a slow start before Ben Lim scored twice to put them ahead 4–3. From there, the Slugs took control. Aidan Carleson's three-point play and key rebounds from Caden Breznikar and Elijah Brookes built momentum. Joe Espy scored inside and drew fouls, while Leo Wagner's mid-range shots kept UCSC in front. Solid defense and second-chance points gave the Slugs a 35–27 halftime lead.

Building on their first-half momentum, UCSC came out strong after the break and fully controlled the game. UCSC put up 52 points in the second half, turning their eight-point halftime lead into a comfortable win. The run began immediately as Breznikar scored on a fast break, Lim made a jumper, and Espy tipped in a missed shot to push the lead into double digits within the first two minutes. The Slugs kept attacking the basket, scoring often at the rim and dominating Willamette on the boards.

Espy and Breznikar combined for 23 second-half points. Breznikar hit a three-pointer and made all six free throws, while Brookes tallied six assists after halftime. UCSC's outside shooting improved, with Miles Burrows and Wagner making three-pointers to extend the lead. Behind dominant rebounding, balanced scoring, and a commanding 29 points off turnovers, the Slugs controlled the game on both ends to earn the 26-point victory in Claremont.