| December 21, 2006
SLUGS SPLIT TWO ON LA TRIP The Slugs split two games on their recent road trip to the The Slugs felt they had a good chance of stealing both games; however the injury plague that has hit the team again reared its ugly head. After jumping out to a quick lead led by Freshman Ehson Mortezaies’ 12 points and 5 steals from Senior Lorenzo Hutton, the Slugs seemed to be heading to a blow out victory. Midway through the half the Slugs led by as much as 15 before they seem to come apart. Their shots started going array, they started getting careless with the ball and they started getting outworked by the Beavers. Cal Tech led by Travis Haussler (Son of UCSC Professor David Haussler, Biomolecular Sci & Engineering) with 15 of the teams first half points, came charging back taking advantage of the mishaps and overconfidence of the Slugs and cut the lead to 30 to 26 at the half. In the second half the Slugs seemed to get it back together as they started taking advantage of Cal Tech’s mistakes and got out to a comfortable lead and never looked back. Freshman Neil Brennan and Senior Murphy Holmes jumped in and helped Mortezaie, (who finished with 19 points) with 12 and 18 points respectfully. Haussler led Cal Tech with 23 points. This was the first game (in the last 5) by the Slugs that they were out rebounded 42-36. This was some concern for Coach Johnson but not as much as Freshman Ari Ben-Avram going down with a knee injury midway through the second half. The next afternoon the Slugs took on a solid Cal Lu Kingsmen team and were handed a solid defeat 82-47. The Slugs were never in the game from the start as again they would suffer another loss of a player. Getting good news on the Ben-Avram knee injury (mild sprain and he would be able to play) but then getting bad news as Freshman Neil Brennan would suffer from a case of food poisoning from the night before. Brennan would not be able to play forcing the Slugs to go small against the much bigger Kingsmen. The Kingsmen jumped out to an early 20 point lead 23-3 in the first 5 minutes of the game behind Zach Miller 18 points (9 for 10 from the field). Freshman Eshon Mortezaie was the again the lone bright spot for the Slugs as he would score 8 of the teams 13 first half points. The Slugs trailed at the half 43-13 on a dismal 5 for 27 from the field. The second half offensively the Slugs seem to get a better handle of things as their energy level increased and they played with more life. Senior Jared Crayton-Thomas jumped in and scored 9 points and added 7 rebounds to lead a mini charge by the Slugs that would cut the lead to as low as 15 but that would be it. Again the Slugs would suffer another injury as Sophomore Brian Loeb would suffer an ankle injury midway through the second half. “This has been a very tough first half of the season (4-8) with all the injuries: Jarrod Heredia out for the year (knee), Sophomore Max Jaffe, Juniors Jon Mercado and Jon Morrison out for the year (personal), and the nagging injuries we are suffering game by game. This Christmas break is getting here just in time; maybe we can rest up and get healthy for the second half of the year,” stated Coach Johnson. The Slugs next games will be December 29th and 30th at Cal State Eastbay (CSU Eastbay Tournament), January 2nd at home against Whitworth and January 6th at home against Holy Names. |