UC Davis Begins Three-Game Homestand Wednesday

Dec. 29, 2009

DAVIS, Calif. - The UC Davis men's basketball team returns to action Wednesday night when it begins a three-game homestand against Whittier College. The Aggies and Poets will tip at 7:30 p.m. at The Pavilion with the game available on KFSG 1690-AM as well as www.ucdavisaggies.com. Overall, the contest begins a stretch of five games in 12 days for the Aggies.

UC Davis (3-8) is coming off a 69-57 loss at Air Force on Dec. 22. Mark Payne and Dominic Calegari each scored 14 to lead the Aggies. Joe Harden posted his third double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Falcons used a late 7-0 run to fight off an Aggie rally. UC Davis led by as much as 19-12 after an early 15-2 run before Air Force closed the first half with a 29-27 lead. The Aggies trailed by just three with under five minutes remaining before the final burst by the Falcons helped them pull away. Air Force shot 54 percent while holding the Aggies to 40 percent.

A pair of Aggies moved past personal milestones in the game at Air Force. Calegari's 14 points moved him to 902 for his career as he continues to close in on 1,000 for his career. With his four assists, Payne now has 301 for his Aggie career. Coupled with his six steals, the junior is now fourth all-time in school history in both categories. Through Monday's games, Payne leads the Big West in scoring (16.8 ppg.) and steals (3.4 spg.). He's second with 4.9 assists per game.

Whittier enters the game with a 4-3 record. The Poets have lost their last three games after opening the season with four straight wins. They were last in action on Dec. 22 at home where they suffered an 87-70 loss to Chapman. Whittier's last win was a 103-101 overtime victory at home against Holy Names on Dec. 5. Four Poets are averaging at least 11.3 ppg. Junior Drew Menez leads the team with 20.6 ppg. while David Hayashi is tossing in 14.0. Whittier is 2-1 on the road, and UC Davis will be its first Division I opponent this season.

Whittier leads the all-time series 7-2. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since the 1958-59 season.

The Whittier game begins a three-game homestand for the Aggies. It continues Saturday with the team's Big West opener against Cal State Fullerton before concluding Monday with Cal State Northridge. The Whittier game also starts a stretch of five games in 12 days for UC Davis.

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