Oct. 30, 2009
DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis took part in its annual Blue-Gold Scrimmage, and it took an extra period to decide the winner. There were plenty of highlights between the two teams as the Blue outlasted the Gold, 89-85. Joe Harden led the Blue with 20 points while Julian Welch led the Gold with 20. Dominic Calegari and Ryan Howley each finished with double-doubles.
The Blue team consisted of Harden, Howley, Todd Lowenthal, DeAndre Medlock, Mark Payne and Jacob Ranger. On the Gold side, Calegari and Welch were joined by Jelani Floyd, Adam Malik, Eddie Miller and Ryan Sypkens.
The scrimmage began with an 11-2 run by the Blue before a 16-2 run by the Gold made it 18-13 with 11:43 left in the first half. Sypkens ended up scoring the final six points of the half for the Gold as his team went to the break with a 34-28 lead.
The Gold opened the second half with another 16-2 run as a Sypkens' dunk with 14:28 remaining it a 50-30 lead. The cushion would be short-lived, however, as Blue went on a 17-2 run over the next four minutes. A three-point play by Payne started the rally, and a trey by Ranger at the 10:37 mark pulled Blue within 52-47.
The Gold led 71-63 with just over a minute to go before another three-point play by Payne made it 71-66 with 1:12 remaining. With 33 seconds left, Harden made a three-pointer to pull Blue within 71-69. A no-look pass by Payne to Harden and ensuing bucket tied the game at 73-all with seven seconds left. A three-pointer by Welch at the buzzer rimmed out, sending the scrimmage into overtime.
The Blue team continued to dominate in overtime. Sypkens made a pair of treys in the period to try to keep Gold close, but the Blue squad ultimately prevailed by four. The final bucket was a dunk by Medlock to account for the final score.
A total of six Aggies finished in double figures. Calegari scored 19 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Malik tossed in 18 points, and Sypkens added 16. On the Gold side, Payne scored 19 with Howley finishing with 17. Jacob Ranger added 16, and Medlock scored 15. Payne, Ranger and Welch each dished out four assists.
Floyd led both teams with 16 rebounds, and Howley finished with 11. Harden had seven boards while Payne and Malik each added six. Long-range success included a pair of three-pointers by Harden, Ranger and Sypkens. Floyd, Lowenthal, Miller and Welch each had three steals.
UC Davis continues its preparation for the upcoming season Wednesday when it hosts Cal State East Bay in an exhibition. The contest begins at 7 p.m. at The Pavilion, and there is no charge for admission.
