SAN FRANCISCO, CA – UC Santa Cruz men's basketball battled through a tight contest to earn a 64-60 win over Academy of Art on Tuesday at Kezar Pavilion. In a game featuring 11 lead changes and eight ties, the Banana Slugs made key plays to secure the win on a record-setting night.
 
How It Happened
Zino Okah cemented his place in UCSC history by surpassing 1,000 career points, becoming just the 11th player in history to reach the 1k milestone. He finished with 16 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting, including two three-pointers. His milestone moment fueled the Slugs' momentum, helping them take control in the final minutes.
 
Joe Espy led UCSC with 17 points and a double-double, securing 10 rebounds while converting seven free throws. Caden Breznikar contributed nine points and six rebounds, while Ryan Wilson controlled the pace with six assists and five rebounds.
The Banana Slugs tightened up defensively in the second half, holding Academy of Art to just 
25 points while forcing 15 turnovers. UCSC also won the battle on the boards, collecting 37 rebounds and limiting second-chance opportunities to seal the game in the final moments.
 
With Okah's milestone and a gritty road victory, UCSC will look to carry their momentum into their next home game against Simpson University on Sunday, February 16th, at Kaiser Permanente Arena. Tip-off is set for 2:00 PM.