ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Men's Basketball gave their fans plenty to be thankful for with a commanding 75-58 victory over UC Santa Cruz on Tuesday evening inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion. With a decisive performance on both ends of the floor, the Oaks closed out their final game before the Thanksgiving holiday in front of an energetic home crowd. The win showcased Menlo's balance, efficiency, and defensive grit as they outmatched the Banana Slugs in a dominant display.

Game Standouts

Several players contributed to the Oaks' success in a well-rounded team effort:

• Landon Seaman - was unstoppable, scoring a game-high 26 points on 13-of-20 shooting, while adding 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block in an impressive performance.

• Preston Le Gassick - provided a spark with 12 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals, delivering key plays to maintain Menlo's lead.

• Julius Alcantara - was perfect from the field, going 5-of-5 for 10 points and grabbing 9 rebounds, falling just short of a double-double.

• Riley Robinson - chipped in 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, showcasing his versatility and leadership.

• Nick Davidson - played a key role off the bench, scoring 6 points and adding 3 rebounds and 2 steals in 16 minutes.

Team Effort and Defensive Dominance Lead the Way

The Oaks set the tone early and never looked back, dominating the paint with a 50-22 scoring advantage. Menlo's physicality and ability to finish inside overwhelmed the Banana Slugs, who struggled to find answers defensively. The Oaks also made the most of UC Santa Cruz's 17 turnovers, turning them into 21 points.

On the defensive end, Menlo smothered the Banana Slugs, holding them to just 35% shooting from the field (21-of-60) and 29% from beyond the arc (9-of-31). Menlo's aggressive rebounding effort gave them a 39-31 edge on the boards, including 8 offensive rebounds that led to crucial second-chance opportunities.

Offensively, the Oaks were sharp and efficient, shooting 49% from the field (31-of-63) and an impressive 77% from the free-throw line (10-of-13). Their unselfish play led to 13 assists as they carved up the UC Santa Cruz defense. A dominant second half, in which the Oaks outscored the Slugs 38-32, secured the victory and sent the Menlo faithful home happy.

Up Next….

With this win, the Oaks improve to 3-2 on the season. Menlo will enjoy a brief Thanksgiving break before returning to action next week, ready to build on this momentum. PacWest Conference play will officially kick off on Thursday, December 5th at 7:30pm against Azusa Pacific at Menlo College!