BOX SCORE

PORTLAND, Ore. - Non-conference action came to a close for the Lewis & Clark men's basketball team on Monday night, with the Pioneers pulling out a 93-68 win over the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs. Sophomore Jason Luhnow paced the Pioneers with 18 points, while senior Quentin Sims knocked down 17. 

The win moves the Pioneers to 7-2 on the season, while the Banana Slugs slip to 2-14 overall. 

Nearly all of Luhnow's points came from three point range where he ended the night 5-of-8. Sims was also strong from long distance, netting five of his six attempts. Sims also concluded the contest with a game-high eight rebounds, while coming up with a block and a steal. Kurt Parker and Serg Ovchinnikov both ended the game with 12 points, while Bradley Carter scored 11. 

Jared Ponce led the Banana Slugs with 18 points and Spencer Wells finished with 14 for Santa Cruz. 

Sims hit the first basket of the game with a three at the 18:33 mark assisted by Connor Freeberg. UC Santa Cruz kept the Pioneers on their toes as the two sides battled back and forth the majority of the first half. It wasn't until the 2:26 mark that the Pioneers pulled away from the Banana Slugs. Another Sims three pointer spurred an 11-2 run to close out the half, sending the Pioneers into the locker room leading 41-31. 

Lewis & Clark rolled past UC Santa Cruz in the second half, only briefly letting the Banana Slugs within single digits. Ovchinnikov earned the Pioneers their first 20+ point advantge with a three pointer assisted by Ben Neves with 8:34 remaining. 

With 4:25 remaining freshman Cannen Roberson gave the Pios an 85-35 lead with a quick layup. Lewis & Clark had plenty of opportunities down the stretch to pull further ahead of UC Santa Cruz but settled for a 93-68 victory. 

Lewis & Clark starts Northwest Conference action on Friday, Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. at Puget Sound.