Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - CSUN scored six of the first eight points in Saturday's Big West game in Northridge, Calif., but once UC Davis took a 7-6 lead at the 16:40 mark of the first half, the Aggies held their lead until the final buzzer and left the Matadome with a 68-55 win - the 200th of head coach Jim Les' career.

"I'm not into milestones, but I will say this: If there is a group that I can reach 200 with, it's this one. I enjoy being around them and this staff is blessed to work with everyone.

"The success we are enjoying is because of these players - guys who are great off the floor, possess good character and are hard workers who are willing to be coached."

Added Les, "I'll enjoy this a little bit more because of them."

By leaving the Valley with a victory in a game televised on FOX College Sports Pacific and FOX Prime Ticket, UC Davis, which started the week tied for first place alongside UC Irvine and Long Beach State, now sits alone atop the Big West standings with an 18-4 overall and 8-1 league mark. With Saturday's result, CSUN falls to 6-19 and 2-8 respectively.

UC Davis has now won nine of its last 10 games, the last four straight and both of this year's matchups against CSUN.

Josh Ritchart led all Aggies with 21 points - his third straight 20-plus point game after posting a season-high 24 in last Saturday's ESPNU game and 22 last Thursday at UC Irvine.

"I just needed to find my rhythm," said Ritchart in a postgame interview when asked by UC Davis radio announcer Scott Marsh about his recent scoring streak. "Coach told me to be more aggressive; it doesn't mean that I need to shoot more, but take quality shots when I have a chance to do so."

"When Josh is shooting the ball with confidence, it seems like every one is going in. We just want to put the ball in his hands because he made some good decisions when he was double-teamed. He found open players ... who were willing to turn good looks into great ones for other teammates by making that extra pass," said Les.

Brynton Lemar, who earned the starting nod from Les for the second straight game, set a new season high by posting 10 points on two field goals, including one from three. Lemar also made 3 of 4 shots from the line.

Led by Tyler Les who came off the bench to score 14 points, the Aggies' reserves outscored CSUN's by a 25-13 margin. Josh Fox scored seven points and recorded a team-high seven rebounds, Neal Monson chipped in with four points and two boards.

Avery Johnson was the final Aggie to score double digits; in addition to scoring both of his baskets from three, he also connected on all four free throw attempts to finish with 10 points. Johnson also led his team with six assists to set a new career high.

"I cannot say enough about this team and its gutsy effort, Coming south in a three-way tie for first, with Corey not being able to play, numerous guys stepped up to play as a team. They embody the word `team,' and hold themselves accountable to the guy sitting next to them on the bench each game.

"These guys are fun to coach; I'm just trying to step out of their way and keep them on the right path," added Les.

Hawkins did not play and is day-to-day with a lower leg injury.

Leading by six with 1:43 remaining, Darius Graham collected a key offensive rebound to give his team another opportunity to milk the clock and potentially extend its lead.

As a team, UC Davis outrebounded CSUN 31-25 overall and 10-8 on the offensive glass.

Returning to the court after the Aggies' called timeout, Graham's hustle led to a three from Ritchart, which extended UC Davis' lead to nine with less than a minute on the clock and gave all Matador fans in attendance a reason to leave early.

"It was nice to make that (three) at the end. That shot sealed the win against a good CSUN team that has talented players, and is tough to play on its home court," added Ritchart.

Including that three, UC Davis scored the game's final seven points thanks to Johnson, who hit the Aggies' final four free throws to extend his team's lead to the final margin of victory.

The Aggies will return to the Pavilion on Thursday to host Cal State Fullerton in the team's lone game scheduled next week. That Big West matchup will tip at 7 p.m.