PASADENA, Calif. (Dec. 4, 2022) – Caltech Men's Basketball returned home to host the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs Sunday afternoon in a much-anticipated rematch after a close game up North last month.

The Slugs jumped ahead to an early lead, but freshman Noah Hicks put Caltech on the scoreboard with a three-pointer off an assist by senior Pavlos Stavrinides. A few minutes later, the Beavers surged ahead with a 10-point run sparked by two three-pointers by senior Kyle McGraw on consecutive attempts, followed by a Hicks jumper and a highlight-reel dish from senior Chase Pagon to sophomore Riley Wood to make it a 14-9 game.

UCSC would threaten again before halftime, but Caltech finished strongly with a pair of threes by senior Jack Pierson and the Beavers carried a 22-20 lead into halftime.

Pagon broke out in the second half dropping 10 points on the opposition en route to a double-double stat line with 13 points and 12 rebounds along with four assists, leading his team in all three categories. Stavrinides followed closely with nine.  McGraw finished with eight points while Hicks and Pierson each contributed six. Wood stood out on ball control with seven rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal. 

The Beavers out-rebounded the Slugs on defense and made more use of their offensive boards, converting 12 second chance points to the visitors' four.

Head Coach Dr. Oliver Eslinger and the Beavers are off next week for final exams, and will return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 14 to kick off SCIAC play against Whittier College. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.

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