Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - A 9-0 scoring run midway through the second half, thanks to three-point plays from Brynton Lemar and Siler Schneider, and another shot from three by the sophomore guard, helped UC Davis erase CSUN's game-high 11-point lead in Saturday's Big West Conference game at the Matadome. Another 10-4 run, which kicked-off two minutes later, combined with Lemar's heroics at the free throw line -- he hit back-to-back shots with 13 seconds remaining to turn his team's one-point lead into the game's final score -- lifted the Aggies to a 71-68 victory in a game broadcasted nationwide on ESPNU.

In addition to handing CSUN its first league loss of the season, this result is UC Davis' 10th head-to-head victory in the last 11 games, and seventh win in a row against the Matadors. Idle on Thursday, the Aggies will enter the first of back-to-back bye weeks, and head to Hawai'i for next Saturday's Big West contest, with an 11-8 overall and 3-1 Big West record.

"I am extremely proud of the way this team overcame adversity to win this game. We did not get off to a great start, there were a number of guys in foul trouble in the first half, which made it easy to hang our heads and become unproductive in the second half," said head coach Jim Les.

"Down the stretch we continued to make plays when we absolutely needed them, everyone's refuse-to-lose attitude was needed tonight."

CSUN will continue its season with respective records of 7-9 and 3-1.

Lemar posted his fifth 20-point effort of the season by leading all Aggies with that total, Darius Graham scored 10 of his 12 points after halftime and Schneider, who hit all five shots at the stripe and canned one of his two field goals from three, led UC Davis in scoring.

Kendall Smith, whose desperation fadeaway three rattled around the rim before popping out, led all players with 21 points. Aaron Parks and Tavrion Dawson added another 14 and 13 points respectively for the Matadors.

Lawrence White scored nine points, recorded four rebounds and came up with timely plays on defense in his final appearance in an Aggie uniform in front of a hometown crowd. The senior guard hails from Burbank, attended nearby John Burroughs High School and Antelope Valley College before transferring to UC Davis.

Throughout the entire game, the Aggies' bench played a key role in its comeback victory. In addition to outscoring CSUN's reserves (16-11), the team continued to produce on both ends of the floor after a handful of players were forced to the sideline due to foul trouble.

"I thought everyone on the bench stepped up when we needed them," added Les. "Mikey, Michael and Georgi helped this team with their play. After a tough first half, I told Siler at halftime, 'I'm coming back to you,' and he responded with a great second half."

Mikey Henn scored all six of his points in the paint and frustrated the CSUN's bigs throughout his season-high 29 minutes; Michael Onyebalu collected two rebounds; Arell Hennings and Georgi Funtarov were on the floor during the Aggies' pre-halftime scoring push, which pulled their team within one at the break.

From the outset, the Aggies aggressively attacked the Matadors' defense, which ultimately led to a lopsided scoring total underneath the basket. Of UC Davis' 71 points, 46 (65 percent) were scored in the paint. On the opposite end of the court, CSUN could only muster 20 points down low and was forced to find other ways to score.

The Aggies will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 21, tipoff from the Stan Sheriff Center is set for 9 p.m. Pacific time.

UC DAVIS 71, CSUN 68

UC DAVIS (11-8, 3-1 BWC)
Lemar, Brynton 7-14 6-9 20; Graham, Darius 5-9 0-0 12; Schneider, Siler 2-5 5-5 10; White, Lawrence 4-5 0-0 9; Adenrele, J.T. 4-6 0-0 8; Moneke, Chima 3-7 0-1 6; Henn, Mikey 3-6 0-0 6; Funtarov, Georgi 0-1 0-0 0; Hennings, Arell 0-0 0-0 0; Onyebalu, Michael 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 28-55 11-15 71.

CSUN (7-10, 3-1 BWC)
Smith, Kendall 7-14 4-4 21; Parks, Aaron 5-10 4-5 14; Dawson, Tavrion 2-8 8-10 13; Theus Jr., Reggie 4-5 1-4 9; Johnson, Darin 1-9 5-5 7; Kaba-Camara, Mahamad 1-1 0-0 2; Lubin, Rakim 0-1 2-3 2; Johns, Dylan 0-0 0-0 0; Warren, Micheal 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-49 24-31 68.

UC Davis...................... 30 41 - 71
CSUN........................... 31 37 - 68

3-point goals--UC Davis 4-14 (Graham, Darius 2-5; Schneider, Siler 1-1; White, Lawrence 1-1; Henn, Mikey 0-1; Onyebalu, Michael 0-2; Lemar, Brynton 0-4), CSUN 4-14 (Smith, Kendall 3-7; Dawson, Tavrion 1-1; Johnson, Darin 0-5; Warren, Micheal 0-1). Fouled out--UC Davis-Henn, Mikey; Adenrele, J.T.; Moneke, Chima, CSUN-Lubin, Rakim; Johnson, Darin. Rebounds--UC Davis 31 (Moneke, Chima 7), CSUN 31 (Dawson, Tavrion 9). Assists--UC Davis 13 (Graham, Darius 5), CSUN 12 (Johnson, Darin 7). Total fouls--UC Davis 20, CSUN 24. Technical fouls--UC Davis-None, CSUN-None. A-1057