Box Score After a dismal performance the day before at the Cal Lutheran
Classic, Caltech responded with an energized effort on Sunday
against a very solid UC Santa Cruz squad. Caltech had plenty of
opportunities in the second half to cut the lead to single digits,
but was not able to connect on enough possessions as UC Santa Cruz
held on 73-59. The visiting Banana Slugs, who edged Cal Lu on
Saturday and had previously beaten fellow SCIAC member,
Pomona-Pitzer, used a 16-5 run in the first half to gain a 13 point
advantage, 23-10 with 10:53 left in the stanza. The Beavers' 15
first half turnovers coupled with six opponent 3-pointers allowed
the Banana Slugs to extend the gap to 16 points, 42-26, as the
teams went into halftime.
An 11-4 UC Santa Cruz spurt to open the second period extended
the margin to the largest of the game, 53-30 with 15:38 to go;
however, Caltech whittled away at the lead over the next several
minutes of play with a 15-5 burst of its own. Six straight points
by Mike Edwards followed by four courtesy of Ryan Elmquist ignited
the streak. After a layup by the Banana Slugs, Elmquist completed
an old-fashioned 3-point play to close within 15. A Caltech
defensive stop was made useful by the Beavers as Edwards scored
again. The Banana Slugs, up 58-45, were able to counter the
Beavers' attack despite another 3-point conversion and a steal and
layup by Collin Murphy. Caltech had several chances to narrow the
deficit, but Murphy was the only Beaver to hit a trifecta in the
second half after Edwards and Elmquist nailed two each in the
first.
Elmquist exploded for a season-high 25 points and led all
scorers in the contest. The junior captain added nine rebounds and
three blocks as he converted 11 of 14 free throws. Mike Edwards
added 23 points and 4 steals. Jeremy Leibowitz hauled in a
season-high and game-high 11 rebounds to go along with 3 steals.
Ethan Boroson aided Caltech with four assists, five rebounds, one
steal, and zero turnovers.
The Beavers are off for winter break until they host the Caltech
Holiday Classic January 2 and 3.
GO TECH!!!
BOXSCORE
