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UC Davis basketball fans enjoyed two perfect home records in the last four seasons, and watched the Aggies win three Big West titles throughout that same timespan. Create a home court advantage like no other, purchase your tickets for a men's basketball home game today!  
  
DAVIS, Calif. – UC Davis out-shot UC Santa Barbara from the floor, held the visiting Gauchos to 36 percent shooting during the second half, and pulled within three in Thursday's Big West home opener, but UCSB's three-point shooting was the difference in a game the visitors won by a 69-58 score.
 
This result is a rare one for the Aggies: Entering its first home league game, no mainland Big West team held a higher win percentage (.807), or dropped fewer games (11) at home throughout the last five seasons.
 
UC Davis also won three of the last four head-to-head games entering the Pavilion Thursday night.
 
The Aggies will enter Saturday's 5 p.m. game versus Cal Poly with a 4-13 overall and 0-3 Big West record. UCSB will continue its season at 14-3 and 3-0. In addition to the program's Alumni Day, all fire, law enforcement personnel, EMTs and first responders will receive free admission to this weekend's event by showing their badge or ID at the Pavilion's box office.
 
UC Davis out-scored UC Santa Barbara 32-14 in the paint, and turned 14 Gaucho turnovers into another 15 points — the Aggies did a better job protecting the ball and committed only 11 turnovers to their opponent's 14 — but the Gauchos recorded 11 of their 24 field goals from three, and shot 46 percent from distance to pull away late.
 
"Our energy to start was really good," said head coach Jim Les regarding his team's game opening 10-0 run, "but their three offensive rebounds, which led to threes [late in the second half] was the separation of the game."
 
For the second game in a row, junior economics major Joe Mooney led all Aggies in scoring with 14 points, and hit three of his five baskets from behind the arc. Senior communication majors TJ Shorts II and Siler Schneider each finished with 11 points.
 
Shorts II also collected a team-high five rebounds and four steals.
 
"We are in a better place than we were two-and-a-half weeks ago," Les added. "This team is getting better, the coaching staff is seeing it, now it is about consistency, and playing that way the entire 40 minutes, or close to it as possible.
 
"I like a lot of things this team is doing, they had a tough start of their conference schedule, we've been tested, went toe-to-toe with some of the best teams in the league, and I expect the guys to continue to get better. And when it is all said and done, they are going to be a force to reckon with."
 
Alabama grad transfer Ar'Mond Davis led the Gauchos with 23 points, eight rebounds, and recorded 5 of 8 baskets from three.  
 
UC Davis still possesses the highest home win percentage of any mainland Big West team — Hawai'i holds numerous home tournaments each season throughout non-conference play — and will look to bounce back in Saturday's 5 p.m. game against Cal Poly.
 
This game is also part of Golden 1's Fight Student Hunger Night; all fans who donate canned food, or non-perishable items, will receive two raffle tickets for an Apple Watch; the winner will be announced during the second half. All donations collected will benefit the ASUCD Pantry.
 
 
 
 
AGGIE EVO
Established during the 2017-18 academic year, the Aggie EVO System is UC Davis Athletics' investment in the primary mission of preparing student-athletes for a successful "launch" after graduation.
 
Thanks to a collaboration of alumni, university resources, corporate partners, coaches and Student-Athlete Outcomes staff, all Aggies are guided over four years to acquire the skills, knowledge, opportunities and tools to better know and navigate the "World of Work" after graduating from UC Davis.
 
Follow the Aggie EVO system on Twitter and Instagram at @AggieEVO.
 
CREATE A HOME COURT ADVANTAGE LIKE NO OTHER
UC Davis basketball fans have watched the Aggies win three championships and enjoy two undefeated seasons inside the Pavilion in the last four years. Don't miss out on another historic season, click here to purchase your season tickets today!
 
TOGETHER, WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING
Directly impact the lives of potential, and current UC Davis basketball student-athletes, by joining the Aggie Round Table.
 
With support from this select group of insiders, the men's basketball program can expand its recruiting efforts to find prospects who will thrive at the fifth-ranked public school in the nation, compete at a championship level and represent the University in a first-class manner as one of its ambassadors. 
 
Contact Liz Martin (Assistant Athletics Director, Leadership Giving & Alumni Engagement) at (530) 574-8623 or emartin@ucdavis.edu to find out how you can join this exclusive club!
 
ABOUT UC DAVIS
Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley.
 
The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation, according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.