WALLA WALLA, Wash. – UC Santa Cruz outscored Whitworth 31-18 in the second half to pull away for a 53-38 win over the Pirates on Saturday at Whitman College's Kim Evanger Raney Classic.
It was the season-opener for the Banana Slugs, while the Pirates finish the tournament 1-1. UCSC will play Whitman on Sunday.
The Pirates only trailed 22-20 at halftime after a sloppy first half that featured eight ties and four lead changes. The Banana Slugs used a 13-point run that spanned the end of the second and beginning of the third quarters to build a 31-20 lead. Whitworth got back within 31-25 on a pair of Kim Dewey free throws near the end of the third, but got no closer. UCSC outscored the Bucs 20-13 in the fourth period.
Dewey finished with 14 points and six rebounds to lead Whitworth. She was the only Pirate players in double figures. Zalissa Sanfo had 10 rebounds and four blocked shots to lead the defense. Whitworth struggled offensively, making only 11 of 55 field goal attempts.
Alexa Litchev had 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Ariel Anderson posted 11 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Banana Slugs. UCSC outrebounded the Pirates 50-36.
Whitworth will play its home opener this coming Thursday against Walla Walla University.
