Written by Josh Garcia
BVU Student Contributor

STORM LAKE, Iowa (January 2, 2023) - The Buena Vista Basketball team started the 2023 calendar year off with 107-92 win over UC Santa Cruz on Monday inside of Siebens Fieldhouse. 

The contest was back-and-forth for the majority of the game with neither team taking a significant lead until 11:01 left in the second half when a pair of Zane Neubaum free throws gave the Beavers a 67-66 lead. The Beavers never relinquished the lead, outscoring the Banana Slugs 40-26 in the final 11 minutes. Freshman Jackson Jones helped spark the run with back-to-back three-point buckets. He finished the game shooting 4-of-7 from long range and scored a career-high 12 points.

Neubaum was a pivotal player in the Beavers run, scoring a game high 36 points, to go along with six rebounds, two steals, and a block. All five of the Beavers starters recorded double digit points. Michael Santich added a career-best 21 points, to go along with a team-high five assists. As a team, the Beavers shot 50.8% from the field and 50.0% from deep. They also capitalized from the line, shooting 88.2%. 

Avri Finch led the Slugs with a team-high 18 points along with game-highs of 13 rebounds and thre steals. Tyler Kessinger also contributed 18 points. The Slugs shot 48.5% overall and 47.4% from deep. From the charity stripe they shot 79.2%. 

UP NEXT:The Beavers improve to 7-5 overall and will now return to American Rivers Conference play to host Simpson College on January 4th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.