SANTA CRUZ, Calif. 1 1 The UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs womens basketball team opened their 2026 season with a 51-41 loss to the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athenas on November 7 at home. After falling behind by as many as 20 points in the second quarter, the Banana Slugs rallied to tie the game at 39 early in the fourth quarter, but could not complete the comeback.
Junior guard Emilie Ngo led all scorers with 26 points, shooting 7-of-16 from the field and a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line. Ngo, the reigning Coast-to-Coast Player of the Year, showed her offensive capabilities throughout the game. Guard Bria Tate added six points, while forward Sarah Reuter collected a team-high six rebounds, including two offensive boards.
The Banana Slugs struggled with consistent shooting in the critical late stages of the game. UC Santa Cruz briefly led early, but an 11-0 run by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the second quarter created a large deficit. The team increased defensive and offensive intensity after halftime, with contributions from players including Gabriela Clement and Sofia Fernandez. However, turnovers and missed opportunities in the final minutes prevented the Slugs from overtaking the Athenas.
UC Santa Cruz will next face George Fox University on November 8 at 3:00 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente Arena as part of the Slug Tip Off Tournament.
CSB Take
Despite the opening loss, UC Santa Cruzs ability to rally from a 20-point deficit demonstrates resilience and potential for growth this season. Emilie Ngos standout scoring and flawless free throw shooting underscore her status as one of the top players in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference. Focus on improved late-game shot execution will be crucial as the Banana Slugs seek to build momentum in their upcoming contests.
Source: Original report
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