COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — After a hard-fought win over Colorado College the night before, the Celts took on the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs and claimed an impressive 87-73 victory. A dominant second-half performance propelled the Celts to their 10th win of the season, advancing their record to 10-1 overall while remaining 2-0 in the conference.
The first half was a fierce battle between the Slugs and the Celts, with both teams exchanging baskets. UST tied the game at 25 at the six-minute mark with an energy starter dunk from Charles Gitonga, assisted by Andrew Adebo. Three minutes later, Angel Johnson's driving layup gave the Celts a narrow 33-32 lead. However, UC Santa Cruz refused to back down, tying the game at 35 in the final two minutes and seizing a 40-37 advantage at halftime.
The second half followed a similar script early on, with the teams trading points. The Celts fell behind but stayed relentless. With 10 minutes remaining, Ricky Altamirano drained a crucial three-pointer off an Angel Johnson assist to tie the game at 59. This momentum sparked a 7-3 run, putting the Celts ahead 70-64 with five minutes left. UST clamped down defensively, limiting the Slugs' scoring opportunities while continuing to add to their lead, ultimately securing the win.
Angel Johnson led the Celts with a standout performance, scoring 18 points while adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Andrew Adebo contributed a solid 15 points, going 7-for-9 from the free-throw line, along with 7 rebounds and four assists. Charles Gitonga added 10 points, including a highlight and electrifying dunk, while Altamirano chipped in 9 points with 3 three-pointers. Off the bench, Reyce Allen provided 13 points and 6 rebounds, and Marion Williams delivered 9 points, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
Up Next:
The Celts conclude their road trip in Colorado and will now turn their focus to their next conference matchup against Texas Lutheran. The game is set to take place in Seguin, TX, on January 10th, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 PM.Stay updated on UST basketball by following @ustmbasketball on Instagram or visiting ustcelts.com.
