Thursday, November 12
Merced, CA
7:00 PM
UC Santa Cruz Athletics
0-2,0-0C2C
60
at
82
UC Merced
2-0,0-0CCAA
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Santa Cruz | 27 | 33 | 60 |
| UC Merced | 49 | 33 | 82 |
11/12/2026 9:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MERCED, Calif. – The UC Santa Cruz men's basketball team dropped a hard fought contest 82-60 to the NCAA Division II UC Merced Bobcats on Thursday evening. The Banana Slugs battled hard in the second half, going an even 33-33 with the Bobcats to close out the game but struggled to find their footing in the first half. Leo Wagner had a double double, leading the team with 12 points and 11 rebounds while adding two blocks and two assists. Much of the contest came down to turnovers as the Banana Slugs recorded 22 to the Bobcats' 13. UCSC outrebounded UC Merced 47-33 but struggled from downtown with just four threes and an 11.8% three point percentage. UC Santa Cruz will be back in action tomorrow afternoon when they host the Lewis and Clark River Otters at 3:00 p.m. in the West Field House.
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How It Happened
The Banana Slugs fell behind early as the Bobcats started the game on a 5-0 run. The Banana Slugs were able to add seven points from Leo Wagner, Thomas Conley, and Aidan Carleson to make it 12-7 with just over 16 minutes remaining in the first half. The Bobcats played with heavy pressure, forcing turnovers while going on a 16-2 run to extend their lead to 28-9 midway through the first half. Ollie Miller hit a three to end the run with Carleson adding a layup shortly after, but UC Merced held onto the scoring advantage late, closing out the half 21-13 to take a 49-27 lead into the halftime break.
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Out of the halftime break, the Banana Slugs got right to work with Thomas Conley making a layup before AJ Ferrara-Jones hit a three to start the second half on a 5-0 run. UC Merced was able to narrowly outscore UCSC 13-9 as they approached the halfway mark in the second half, extending their lead to 62-41. The Banana Slugs surged forward with an 11-2 run with Leo Wagner leading the charge with seven points, cutting the gap to 64-52 with 7:36 remaining. The Bobcats were able to counter, regaining momentum with an 18-8Â finishing stretch to secure the 82-60 victory.
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How It Happened
The Banana Slugs fell behind early as the Bobcats started the game on a 5-0 run. The Banana Slugs were able to add seven points from Leo Wagner, Thomas Conley, and Aidan Carleson to make it 12-7 with just over 16 minutes remaining in the first half. The Bobcats played with heavy pressure, forcing turnovers while going on a 16-2 run to extend their lead to 28-9 midway through the first half. Ollie Miller hit a three to end the run with Carleson adding a layup shortly after, but UC Merced held onto the scoring advantage late, closing out the half 21-13 to take a 49-27 lead into the halftime break.
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Out of the halftime break, the Banana Slugs got right to work with Thomas Conley making a layup before AJ Ferrara-Jones hit a three to start the second half on a 5-0 run. UC Merced was able to narrowly outscore UCSC 13-9 as they approached the halfway mark in the second half, extending their lead to 62-41. The Banana Slugs surged forward with an 11-2 run with Leo Wagner leading the charge with seven points, cutting the gap to 64-52 with 7:36 remaining. The Bobcats were able to counter, regaining momentum with an 18-8Â finishing stretch to secure the 82-60 victory.
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Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's BasketballTeam Stats
M-113
M-30266
FG%
.338
.394
3FG%
.118
.444
FT%
.667
.609
RB
47
33
TO
22
13
STL
7
15
Game Leaders
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
