SANTA CRUZ, Ca. - The UC Santa Cruz women's basketball team earned a commanding 72-45 victory over Willamette on Friday afternoon at the West Field House. Emilie Ngo led the Banana Slugs with 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting. Claire Galbo scored 11 with seven rebounds while Bria Tate and Danielle Tyner each added 10 points. The team shot 51.7% from the field and scored 42 points in the paint. The Slugs host Willamette again at West Field House on Saturday, November 29 at 1pm.
 
How It Happened
UC Santa Cruz opened strong, moving the ball well and dominating inside. Emilie Ngo put the first points on the board with a jumper. Danielle Tyner followed up with two free throws and a layup which gave the Slugs a quick 6-0 lead. After Sarah Reuter scored in the paint, UCSC controlled the boards, not allowing the Bearcats any second chance points. Ngo and Galbo highlighted the end of the quarter with threes as UCSC took a 21-12 lead after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, UCSC kept up the pace and played strong defense. Alexa Litchev came off the bench to score six points and grab key rebounds. Reuter and Tate each scored inside to build the lead. Ngo hit mid-range jumpers and Galbo's fast-break three-pointer helped the Slugs stay in control at halftime, leading 38-26.

UCSC played their best defense in the third quarter. The Slugs held Willamette to only seven points in the third, forcing turnovers and doing what was needed on offense. Danielle Tyner got the scoring started in the third with a layup to kickstart a quick run that put UCSC up by 16 with Galbo hitting a three to highlight the surge. Reuter scored on a fast break, and Tate made a jumper as UCSC outscored Willamette 16-7 to lead 54-33.

The Banana Slugs outscored the Bearcats 18-12 in the fourth and saw key plays from Danielle Tyner, Emilie Ngo, Alexa Litchev, and Bria Tate. Late scoring from Tate put the Banana Slugs up by 27 as the team secured the dominant 72-45 victory.