TACOMA, Wash. -- After a tough defensive battle, the Loggers drop their first game of winter break 62-58. 

How it Happened 
It was a defensive game from the start, as the first bucket of the game wasn't made until 17:10 in the first half. Dezman Baker opened the scoring with a bucket in the paint, as the teams went back-and-forth to begin the game. A jump shot by Ian Cook, and a Layup by Khaled Artharee moved the lead to 6-4, as the Loggers kept getting stops. 

Trevon Hamilton added his name to the scoresheet to extend the Loggers' lead to four, maintaining a 8-4 lead into the second media timeout. A Baker three made it 11-6, as neither team recorded a foul until over 12 minutes into the game. The pace then picked up, as both teams hit a couple shots to end the half. The Banana Slugs tied the game up at 15, pulling ahead 23-20 at the break. 

The Slugs extended their lead with three quick threes to start the second half, putting the Loggers down 12 quickly. A pair of layups by Baker helped pull the Loggers back, but they hit the first media timeout down eight. The teams traded triples, as the Slugs extended their lead to 16 with 11 minutes to go. 

The Loggers slowly worked their way back into the game, though, as a Hugo Rutherfurd three brought the lead back to nine. The Slugs hit two free throws, taking an 11-point lead with 2:37 to go, but Rutherfurd hit another dagger from beyond the arc, and a jumper from in the paint to pull it back to five. The Loggers started the foul game, but they found success with it. Baker drained a three, and they forced a turnover to get the ball right back. Zane Miller laid it in to make it a three-point game, but a final free-throw sealed the deal, 62-58 in favor of UCSC.

Top Performers
Baker was the star of the show, leading the way with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and three steals. Rutherfurd also finished in the double-digits, pulling together 16 points, 6 rebounds, and three blocks. 

Coach's Thoughts
"Great game defensively to hold a team that averages 79 a game to just 62," said Logger head coach Aubrey Shelton. "Offensively, it seemed the week off with just one practice yesterday did us no favors vs a tough, physical defense. Proud of the way our guys battled to the end, particularly Dez, Conor, and Hugo, all gave good effort."

What Happens Next
The Loggers suit up for their first Northwest Conference game of the season against the Lewis & Clark River Otters on Friday, January 2nd. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm.