Nov. 23, 2010

Final Stats | Postgame Comments

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Ryan Sypkens scored a game high 16 points off the bench to spark the offense for the UC Davis men's basketball team, as the Aggies took a 61-54 win over Sacramento State Tuesday at the Hornets Nest.

After trailing by one at the break, UC Davis (2-4) outscored Sacramento State (1-3) 36-28 in the second half, behind Sypkens' four threes. For the game, Sypkens was 6 of 8 from the floor and 4 of 6 from behind the arc, while the Aggies shot 49 percent from the floor for the game.

Joe Harden reached double figures for the fifth consecutive game with 13 points, while adding six rebounds. Eddie Miller turned in his best effort on the young season, tallying 12 points on 5 of 8 shooting, eight rebounds and three assists. For the Hornets, three players had 10 points, with Duro Bjegovic also recording 11 rebounds for a double-double.

Harden had six early points in the first half, helping the Aggies jump out to a 10-3 advantage, with 15:04 on the clock. UC Davis led by as many as nine in the first half, before the Hornets climbed back in the game with a 19-16 score at the 6:54 mark.

After a largely defensive first half, the scoring picked up during a small stretch in the opening frame. A Sypkens layup with 4:07 remaining in the first half gave the Aggies a 25-19 advantage. The Hornets held UC Davis scoreless in the final four minutes however, surging for a 7-0 run in that time.

Sacramento State took its first lead of the game with 10 seconds left in the first half, before a heading into the locker room with a 26-25 advantage at the break.

The Aggies exploded on offense to start the second half, scoring seven unanswered points to take back the lead with a 32-26 score at the 17:55 mark.

After trading baskets with the Hornets, back-to-back Sypkens threes gave UC Davis its biggest lead at the time, with a 45-35 score and 10:14 on the clock. Sacramento State fought back again however, using a quick 7-0 run to move the score to 45-42.

The Hornets had the lead down to one, when Sypkens hit his fourth three of the second half, to give the Aggies a 53-49 advantage with 3:24 left to play. UC Davis continued to create some distance, capping off an 11-1 run with a Miller layup, to give the Aggies their biggest lead of the game with a 61-50 score.

Sacramento State managed a pair of scores in the final minute, but the double-digit deficit was too much to overcome, as the UC Davis held on for a final 61-54 win.

For the game, the Aggies held the Hornets to 33 percent shooting from the floor and 25 percent shooting from three point range.

"I think we have been playing pretty good defense for periods of time," said head coach Gary Stewart. "We were able to sustain it longer tonight than we have in previous contests. This is the best defensive club that we've had since I've been here, this early in the season. We're excited about that."

Coach Stewart also commented on the play of Sypkens, in regards to his shooting in the second half.

"I think you could see his confidence grow," said Stewart. "He's a guy who consistently makes shots in practice and it was good to see him get his confidence and get going, because he's a talented kid. We need him to play at the top of his game."

UC Davis will have a short Thanksgiving break, before playing next on Saturday, Nov. 27 at home vs. Seattle, in a 1 p.m. contest.