Game 16

UC Davis Aggies (12-3, 2-0 BWC)
at
UC Riverside (8-8, 1-1 BWC)

Thursday, Jan. 15 - 7 p.m.
SRC Arena (3,168) - Riverside, Calif.

Radio: KSAC (105.5 FM) - Scott Marsh (PBP; pregame show starts at 6:30 p.m.)
Video Stream
Internet Audio
Live Stats
In-game Twitter Updates


Game 17
UC Davis Aggies
at
Cal State Fullerton Titans (8-8, 0-1 BWC)

Saturday, Jan. 17 - 6 p.m. (Note earlier start time than normal Saturday mainland tips)
Titan Gym (4,000) - Fullerton, Calif.

Radio: KSAC (105.5 FM) - Scott Marsh (PBP; pregame show starts at 6:30 p.m.)
Video Stream
Internet Audio
Live Stats
In-game Twitter Updates

Game Notes DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis has never started its Big West slate with wins in its first three games. That can change Thursday evening, at UC Riverside, if the Aggies secure their desired result against a team that split its inaugural league games last week.

After its six-point victory against Cal State Fullerton in its Big West home opener, the Highlanders fell by 14 two days later at UC Irvine.

Series Record: UC Riverside leads 31-28
Last UC Davis Win: 59-52; 2/28/13 in Riverside
Last UC Riverside Win: 78-65; 3/6/14 in Riverside
Series Streak: UC Riverside +2

Led by second-year head coach, and Aggie alum Dedrique Taylor, Cal State Fullerton lost its only Big West game played so far when the Titans visited UC Riverside last Thursday. In that contest, one that Fullerton lost by six, junior guard Lanerryl Johnson scored a game-high 29 points, and senior guard Alex Harris chipped in another 25 to lead the Titans in scoring. Responsible for nearly 70 percent of their team's offense in that evening's overtime loss, Harris and Johnson lead all Titans with their 16.1 and 12.8 points per game averages respectively.

Before facing the Aggies, Cal State Fullerton will host its Big West home opener, against UC Irvine, in a matchup televised on FOX Sports Prime Ticket.

Series Record: Cal State Fullerton leads 15-11
Last UC Davis Win: 69-61; 1/18/14 in Davis
Last Cal State Fullerton Win: 74-64; 2/13/14 in Fullerton
Series Streak: Cal State Fullerton +1

WE'RE NUMBER ONE! WE'RE NUMBER ONE!
Thanks to a barrage of three-point baskets recorded throughout their last four games, the Aggies are now the top Division I team in the country (out of 345 Div. I teams) from three. Through games played on Jan. 12, UC Davis sports a .431 percentage from the behind the arc - that's 3.8 percentage points better than the next Big West team.

BETTER THAN 50/50 ODDS? I'LL TAKE THAT
UC Davis is ranked No. 9 in the nation, and No. 1 in the Big West, with its .501 field goal percentage. The No. 2 ranked league team, UC Irvine, is shooting at a .486 clip.

TOP 25 TALENT
Just a handful of days after grabbing the nation's attention after scoring 28 points and collecting 10 rebounds in last Jan. 10's ESPNU home game against Long Beach State, Corey Hawkins was named one of the nation's best college basketball players by ESPN.

The senior guard was ranked No. 25 college basketball pundit John Gasaway's annual hype-free, performance-based listing of the top 25 players in the country.

#AGGIEPRIDE LEADS TO ESPNU'S RETURN
Fans were loud on Jan. 10 when ESPNU broadcasted UC Davis' home game against Long Beach State, which is why the network is returning to the Pavilion on Jan. 31 to air the Aggies' league game against Cal Poly. This marks the first time in program history that UC Davis will host two nationally televised games in the same season.

LIGHTS, CAMERAS, AGGIES
The Aggie faithful has flocked in droves to represent the campus in front of the ESPN cameras during its last three televised games On Jan. 10, 5,089 came in full force to help the Aggies capture a come-from-behind, OT victory in a game aired by ESPNU. Last season, 5,227 fans attended UC Davis' home finale versus UC Santa Barbara; 5,670 packed the Pavilion for the Mar. 7, 2013, tilt versus Long Beach State. Both games were aired on ESPN2.

Those totals represent the top three attendance figures since the Pavilion was reconfigured and capacity was trimmed in 2009.

GREAT TEAMS FIND A WAY TO WIN
Lost in UC Davis' 11-point, come-from-behind win in its ESPNU home game against Long Beach State is the fact that the Aggies did not play their best basketball, and still found a way to collect a thrilling OT victory.

UC Davis committed a season-high 22 turnovers that evening, which led to 24 Long Beach points. If you add the 49ers' 20 second-chance points earned from one of their 16 offensive rebounds, 44 of the team's 67 points (.657 pct.) were earned off Aggie miscues.

TV NETWORKS WANT TO AIR UC DAVIS' ROADGAMES TOO
Less than two hours passed between ESPNU's announcement of its return to the Pavilion on Jan. 31, and FOX Prime Ticket's decision to televise the Aggies' Feb. 7 road game at CSUN.

Including UC Davis' Feb. 5 ESPN3 game at UC Irvine, the entire country will have the ability to watch UC Davis compete on national TV.

THE FIRST OF MANY
UC Davis entered its Big West opener at the Pavilion, against CSUN, with a 10-3 record. The Aggies' 10 wins, prior to the start of league play, are a new Division-I high, and twice as many compared to last year's pre-Big West slate. Until Jan. 3, the 2008-09 roster set the previous D-I program high by winning six games before facing its first league opponent.

CLIMBING THE MID-MAJOR LADDER
On Nov. 24, UC Davis made its inaugural Division I appearance on CollegeInsider.com's Mid-Major Top 25 poll when the Aggies received one vote. Five weeks later, UC Davis earned its first-ever, D-I national ranking when the media outlet listed the Aggies as the No. 25 mid-major team in the nation - and the only Big West team - in its Dec. 22 and 29 polls.

As was the case in late December, UC Davis is the only league team to garner a top 25 ranking when the outlet selected the Aggies as the No. 25-ranked mid-major team in the country.

Hawai'i and UC Irvine are the other Big West team's that grace this week's poll, both received votes.

WELCOME BACK - EVEN THOUGH THE HOME CROWD WILL BE FAR FROM WELCOMING
Thursday's game at UC Riverside marks junior forward Josh Fox's first game at his former home in a UC Davis uniform. During his freshman season, Fox competed for the Highlanders; that was his lone year in Riverside because he transferred to City College of San Francisco before the start of the 2013-14 academic year.

ANOTHER ALL-AGGIE AFFAIR
Earlier this season, Utah State visited UC Davis for an all-Aggie non-conference game. This Saturday, another all-Aggie matchup, of a different kind, will take place at Cal State Fullerton when UC Davis battles a Titan squad led by former Aggie, and current second-year head coach, Dedrique Taylor.

Taylor, a 1997 graduate and member of the men's basketball staff as an assistant coach during the 2000-01 season, donned a UC Davis uniform for two seasons (1995-96 and '96-'97). In his two years as an Aggie, his teams posted a combined 43-16 overall record and earned a pair of trips to the second round of the NCAA Regional Tournament. He graduated from UC Davis with a degree in sociology and organizational studies in 1997.

IMAGINE IF HE PLAYED ALL FOUR YEARS IN DAVIS
Currently in his third, and final season at UC Davis, Corey Hawkins continues to stamp his name throughout the team's records book. The senior guard is now ranked No. 6 in school history with 1,391 points scored - 14 shy of fifth place which is currently held by Pete Buchwald (1984-88) and his 1,405-point total.

LET'S GET IT STARTED
The best start(s) in the 104-year history of the program belong to the 1997-98 and '98-'99 teams as each collected 13 wins out of their first 15 games played. After beginning the year with a 13-2 record, the former finished its season with wins in all 18 of their following games to end the year with a NCAA Division II national title.

This season's team earned wins in 12 of its first 15 games to set a new D-I school mark.

LET'S GET IT STARTED - BIG WEST EDITION
The Aggies will seek their first-ever 3-0 start in Big West play since joining the conference for the 2007-08 season if victorious in Thursday's game at UC Riverside.

UC Davis dispatched CSUN and Long Beach State during the opening weekend of Big West play to improve to 12-3 overall, the program's best Division I start through 15 games, and the best overall start since the 1999-2000 team opened up 13-2. The Aggies also are 2-0 in Big West play for the first time since the 2009-10 season.

CAREER WIN NO. 200 IS WITHIN REACH
Entering Thursday's game, UC Davis head coach Jim Les has 194 career victories to his credit and is within striking distance of win No. 200.

WELCOME BACK AGGIE ALUMS
ESPNU's return to Davis is well-timed since Jan. 31 is also men's basketball's alumni weekend. Visit ucdavisaggies.com for that weekend's schedule of events in the days leading up to the Aggies' return to the Pavilion.

SNEAK PEEK
The way UC Davis started its season, it's fair to take a look at a few Division I records and milestones that may disappear in the upcoming weeks.

During the 2012-13 season, the Aggies recorded a record 14 D-I overall, nine Big West and six road wins (not including another two that were earned on a neutral court). Entering Thursday's game, this year's squad has 12 overall, four road and two league victories.

CONTINUING THE THEME - THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
This year's men's basketball team embarks on its upcoming three-game road trip with eight home wins to its credit this season. That matches the overall total of home wins earned by the 2007-08 and '09-'10 teams, which is the school's current all-time Division I high.

The most home wins earned by any men's hoops team (since the 1977-78 season when home/road delineations were included on-record) belongs to the 1997-98 Division II national champions. The Aggies won all 17 games on their home floor, including all four playoff games that took place inside the Pavilion.

WHILE WE ARE AT IT...
Since joining the Big West in 2007, the Aggies have never posted 10 victories before their league opener, until this year when men's hoops won non-conference game No. 10 in its final conference tune-up.

The 1997-98 Division II championship team was the last to secure 10 non-conference victories before facing its first conference opponent. That year, the Aggies were 10-2 before facing its inaugural California Collegiate Athletic Association foe.

WHY STOP NOW?
The 1999-2000 season marked the last time UC Davis won 20 or more games in a season when that roster collected 22 victories. That was the last of a six-season stretch that saw the Aggies win 20 or more games each year.

CAN I GET A DOZEN OF THOSE?
With 12 treys in its Big West opener against CSUN (1/7), UC Davis knocked down a dozen from distance for the third straight game.

PICK YOUR POISON
Corey Hawkins is averaging 20.2 points per game - the 15th-highest average in the nation. The senior guard is also No. 4 in the country with his .494 three-point field goal percentage and No. 79 with a .514 field goal percentage.

LISTEN LIVE TO UC DAVIS MEN'S BASKETBALL
For the fourth season, UC Davis men's basketball games will air on KSAC (105.5 FM) and online at ucdavisaggies.com. Scott Marsh (@ScottMarsh1140) will provide the play-by-play and begin his broadcast 30 minutes before tip-off with his pregame show.

CRUNCH NUMBERS HERE
Find out what is happening during every UC Davis men's basketball game via live stats. Links for every men's basketball home game are available by visiting UCDavisLiveStats.com. When the Aggies are on the road, check the men's basketball homepage at ucdavisaggies.com to find appropriate live stats links.

IT'S OK TO BE A FOLLOWER
Hoops fans can follow their favorite team, and all other Aggie athletics programs on Twitter @UCDavisAggies. In-game updates are also available on the department's secondary handle, @UCDavisInGame.

IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT THERE, CLICK HERE
By accessing the link entitled "Live Stream Provided by BigWest.TV" on the sidebar of the men's basketball homepage on ucdavisaggies.com, fans can access a free video stream of every Big West Conference game involving UC Davis men's basketball this season.

GIVE HIM AN INCH, YOU'RE GIVING HIS TEAM THREE POINTS
Even with opposing teams designing game plans to contain him, Corey Hawkins still finds ways to create solid looks from three. The senior guard has connected on 40 of 81 shots from distance and is ranked No. 4 in the nation (through games played on Jan. 10) with his .494 percentage.

A FIVE-TOOL PLAYER IN BASKETBALL?
As the numbers indicate, that's the best way to describe Corey Hawkins since the senior guard can defend, score, protect the ball, create open looks for teammates and force turnovers. Hawkins' NCAA and Big West rankings include (NCAA and Big West stats through games played on Jan. 10):

NCAA
Three-point percentage: 4th/.494
Points per game: 15th/20.2
Three-point field goals per game: 42nd/2.86
Total three-point FGM: 76th/40
Total points: 54th/283
Field goal percentage: 79th/.514

Big West Conference
Points per game: 1st/20.2
Rebounding: 12th/5.3
Field goal percentage: 4th/.514
Assists: 5th/3.79 per game
Free throw percentage: 5th/.803
Steals: 5th/1.64 per game
Three-point percentage: 1st/.494
Three-point field goals per game: 2nd/2.86
Assist to turnover ratio: 8th/1.61

IT ALL STARTS WITH DEFENSE
Among all Big West Conference teams, UC Davis enters the week with the third-stingiest defense in the league. The Aggies are allowing opponents to score 63.3 points per game.

YOU KNOW WHAT IS COMING AND YOU STILL CANNOT STOP HIM
Among all active Big West players, senior guard Tyler Les is ranked No. 2 with 173 three-point field goals. Even more remarkable is that of his 197 career field goals (.878 pct.) were made from distance.

THE AGGIES' RULE OF THREE
Through games of Jan. 10, UC Davis leads all Big West teams by averaging 8.93 three-point field goals per game, holds the highest success rate from distance with its .501 three-point percentage, and four of the top shooters from behind the arc in seniors Corey Hawkins, Avery Johnson, Tyler Les and Josh Ritchart.

Hawkins leads all league players with his .494 three-point percentage; Les is ranked No. 5 with his .446 clip; Ritchart is No. 8 with his .423 mark.

THE AGGIES' 1-2 PUNCH FROM 3
Three-point sharpshooter Tyler Les is No. 2 in the Big West Conference among all active players with 173 three-point field goals. So who is the only player preventing Les from claiming the top spot? Teammate Josh Ritchart and his 203 threes.

HE'S THEIR TOP DEFENDER, AND HE CAN SHOOT FROM THREE?
Known for stifling opponents' top players each and every game, Avery Johnson has developed a new part of his game by knocking down threes on a regular, and consistent basis. In his last five games, the senior guard has scored a collective 11 treys - including a four 3FGM effort in the Aggies' Big West opener vs. CSUN to set a new career high.

Throughout the entire 2013-14 campaign, his first at UC Davis, Johnson scored 18 baskets from three.

CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARDS
For the third time this year, UC Davis recorded 40 or more rebounds in a single game after finishing with a season-high 42 in its Jan. 10, ESPNU game vs. Long Beach State. The Aggies also recorded 41 rebounds at Northern Colorado (12/22). and 40 on Nov. 26's all-Aggie matchup vs. Utah State.

HELLO AMERICA!
Two UC Davis men's basketball games have been broadcasted for fans across the country to watch so far this season. The Pac-12 Network aired the Aggies' Dec. 28 contest at Washington State, ESPNU carried their Jan. 10's home game against Long Beach State.

As announced on Monday, Jan. 12, ESPNU will return to the Pavilion to carry UC Davis' home game vs. Cal Poly on Jan. 31; also taking place that day was FOX Prime Ticket's decision to televise the Aggies' Feb. 7 road contest at CSUN. If you include ESPN3's broadcast of UC Davis' Feb. 5 road game, at UC Irvine, the entire country now has an opportunity to watch the Aggies in three consecutive league matchups.

UC Davis will learn up to three weeks in advance if ESPN2 picks-up its road game at Cal Poly on Feb. 28. If the deuce balks, Prime Ticket has the option of carrying that contest.

ESPN's family of networks will also broadcast both semifinal and championship games at the Big West Tournament. Fox Sports Prime Ticket will carry all four Big West quarterfinal matchups.

EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT - ALL IN ONE NIGHT
Josh Ritchart also recorded his 200th career three-point field goal made and 100th career assist in the Aggies' final regular season, non-conference game of the year against Cal Maritime.

THIS LAST TOOK PLACE BEFORE TWO WORLD WARS, THE FIRST TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT AND THE INVENTION OF TELEVISION
With its win against San José State on Dec. 3, UC Davis sported its first 6-0 start in 102 years and the first time as a NCAA-recognized athletics program.
During the 1912-13 season, the last time the Aggies enjoyed this successful a start to their season, the school was known a University Farm and competed against local high school and club teams.

THAT'S TOUGH TO TOP
By winning its first six games, UC Davis posted its strongest start in 102 seasons. However, that win streak fell short of the Big West record 34-game winning streak set by UNLV during the 1990-91 season. That year, the Runnin' Rebels won every contest but one - the national championship game against Duke.

DREAM BIG, WIN BIG ON THE BIG WEST TOUR
The Big West Tour, sponsored by ampm and Fox PrimeTicket, returns for 2015, running January 8 through February 26th. Over the course of the tour, Big West representatives will make stops at the eight Big West campuses in California, giving fans opportunities to win prize packs from the Big West spin wheel, receive ampm scratcher cards and enter for a chance to win an iPad air at EACH campus courtesy of ampm.

The Tour will visit UC Davis' Memorial Union on Jan. 29, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. before relocating to the Pavilion for that night's UC Santa Barbara at UC Davis 7 p.m. league contest.

The Big West Tour will also feature an ampm show us your "too much good stuff" social media contest where fans can pose for photos and tag or share their photos for a chance to win a $250 amazon gift card from ampm.

Returning for the fifth year as a sponsor of The Big West Tour, ampm will provide prizes at each tour stop, and will also distribute scratcher cards available on each of the tour campuses throughout the conference season.

Scratcher prizes include free ampm products, Big West Tournament tickets, bookstore gift cards, high definition action camera and a grand prize of a $1,000 electronics shopping spree. ampm has been a proud partner of the Big West Tour since 2010. For official rules regarding the ampm scratchers and drawing visit www.ampm.com/bigwest.

HEY NOW, YOU'RE AN ALL-STAR, GET YOUR GAME ON, GO PLAY
In his first season with French club team, Champagne Châlons-Reims Basket, League Nationale de Basket officials selected the former Aggie as one of 24 players worthy of competing in the league's All-Star Game.

An all-star team of foreign players, one that includes Payne on its roster, faced another squad comprised entirely of native French basketball players on Jan. 3, 2015, at the Zenith de Paris. That evening, the former Aggie scored 11 points on 5 of 6 shooting, nailed his only attempt from three and recorded two rebounds throughout his 13 minutes played.

As Champagne Châlons-Reims Basket's starting shooting guard, Payne is averaging 14.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.

IT'S NUMBER SEVEN, AND ANYTHING BUT LUCKY
By defeating CSUN in its Big West opener on Jan. 7, UC Davis is 7-0 on Hamilton Court for its inaugural time as a Division I program and the first since the 2003-04 season.

WE NEED TO DO THIS EVERY YEAR
Since joining the Big West before the start of the 2007-08 season, the Aggies have hosted three conference home openers and left the Pavilion with a victory on each occasion. Including this year's win in its inaugural conference matchup against CSUN, the Aggies also collected wins against UC Riverside in 2008 and Cal State Fullerton two years later.