Feb. 17, 2009

Game Notes

DAVIS, Calif. - The UC Davis men's basketball team returns to action Wednesday when it takes on Cal Poly at Mott Gym in a 7 p.m. tip. The Aggies enter the game 11-14 overall and 6-6 in the Big West Conference while the Mustangs are 6-16 and 3-9, respectively. The game can be heard on KFGS 1690-AM as well as www.ucdavisaggies.com

Vince Oliver scored 32 points in the Aggies' last outing, but it wasn't enough as Cal State Fullerton outgunned UC Davis, 106-95, Saturday night at The Pavilion. UC Davis trailed 48-47 at the half before the Titans outscored the Aggies 58-48 in the second half. Oliver's effort came within one point of equaling his career-high set nine days prior at Long Beach State. Joe Harden added 15 points, and Mark Payne finished with 14 points and 10 assists.

Oliver is averaging 15.9 points and is second in the Big West in scoring. He recent surge has vaulted him to fourth on the all-time Aggie scoring list. The senior needs 14 points to overtake third.

Cal Poly is coming off consecutive losses at Cal State Northridge and UC Santa Barbara. Cal Poly has gone 1-4 since defeating the Aggies on Jan. 24 in Davis. Lorenzo Keeler leads the Mustangs with 13.5 points per game, and Titus Shelton is averaging 12.4. Cal Poly defeated UC Davis earlier this season at The Pavilion.

Wednesday features a full slate in the Big West games with four games on tap. The current standings have the Aggies tied for fifth with UC Riverside at 6-6. Cal State Northridge leads the conference at 8-3 followed by Long Beach State (7-4), Pacific (7-5) and Cal State Fullerton (7-6). UC Irvine trails UC Davis by a game and is in seventh at 5-7. UC Santa Barbara holds the eighth spot (4-7), and Cal Poly is ninth.

Following the game, UC Davis will return home to get ready for Saturday's ESPNU BracketBusters game against Fresno State. The game tips at 7 p.m. following the women's game against UC Santa Barbara.