SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The CSUB water polo team defeated the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs, 17?8, Friday evening in the first round of the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Tournament at the Sullivan Aquatics Center on the campus of Santa Clara University. The ?Runners are the No. 2 seed in the tournament and are ranked No. 15 in the latest national poll. The win moves CSUB's record to 21-13 and 11-3 in conference.

Alyson Moss began the scoring followed by an Amanda Ortiz strike. Shannon McKenzie followed it up with a pair of goals before the Banana Slugs scored twice. Ortiz would add her second of the quarter with 17 seconds remaining.

In the second, McKenzie struck twice and was joined by Moss and Becky Seelos who each tallied one to give CSUB a 9-5 halftime advantage.

In the third, Jessica Manke, Mckenzie, Kaitlin Torres and Katherine Gillett each found the back of the net as the Roadrunners began to pull away, allowing just one goal to lead, 13-6.

Petra Koudelkova, McKenzie, Seelos and Malia Pahoa each had goals in the fourth quarter and Veronica Campbell had five blocks to seal the victory.

McKenzie finished with a game best six goals. Ortiz, Seelos and Moss each had two goals. Campbell had 11 blocks in goal for the 'Runners.

CSUB will take on the host Broncos of Santa Clara tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. The Broncos beat Colorado State and are the No. 3 seed in the tournament this weekend. In the other semifinal on Saturday, top-seeded Loyola Marymount will take on Sonoma State.