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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 opened the second half of Saturday's Big West game on a 19-6 run to take a 41-40 lead, and thanks to another 9-0 run, the Aggies extended that advantage to a game-high 13 points in their 75-63 victory over Cal Poly.
 
In addition to those two game-changing scoring runs, the Aggies improved their overall record to 5-13, and Big West record to 1-3 by shooting 61 percent from the floor (17-for-28) after halftime.
 
UC Davis' defense also forced the Mustangs to shoot 39 percent (10-26) in the second half.

Combined with the Aggies' 53-point second-half outburst — the most points scored in any half this season — they collected their fourth victory in a row, sixth straight on Hamilton Court and 10th in the last 12 played against Cal Poly.
 
The Mustangs arrived to Davis with a full week of rest, since they did not play on Thursday, and will return to San Luis Obispo with records of 4-12 and 0-3.
 
"I think our defense led to the team's offense in the second half," said junior economics major Joe Mooney. "I don't know how it happens, but when teams make plays on defense, it leads to the ball going through the basket on the other end."
 
Of Cal Poly's 13 turnovers, seven took place after the break, which led to 12 UC Davis points.
 
"I thought our aggressiveness on both ends dictated how things turned out in the second half," said head coach Jim Les. "When we play like that, we are going to be a tough out."
 
It was the Aggies' play in the paint that led to them outrebounding Cal Poly 36-29 overall, 8-6 on offense and 28-23 on the defensive glass. They also outscored their opponents 36-22 down low.
 
"We were plus-seven on the boards … which created opportunities for guys to make plays in transition," Les added.

In addition to scoring 14 points, a career-high against a Division I opponent, junior communication Matt Neufeld collected a career-high nine rebounds. Mooney, who finished with 19 points, also posted a new career best with eight boards. Senior communication TJ Shorts II ended his evening with seven rebounds, just short of all-time high, but did set a new career record by earning 11 assists, which topped his previous high of 10 set in last year's triple-double effort in a triple-overtime classic at Cal Poly last season.
 
"I thought we did a great job staying locked-in on defense, especially when the ball was not going in. It's always easier to play defense when you see the ball fall through the hoop, but it was their effort when it wasn't that kept us within striking distance until we were able to make a run," said Les.
 
The Aggies' three-point shooting also played a key role in their second half comeback since Cal Poly led 31-22 at halftime.
 
All seven of UC Davis' threes were hit after halftime: Senior communication major Siler Schneider hit three, which helped him finish with a game-high 23 points; junior communication major Stefan Gonzalez scored six of his eight points off the bench from distance; Mooney also hit a pair from three in addition to hitting all seven attempts at the free throw line.
 
"Joe is right: When you do all the little things, and make the hustle plays, and dive after a loose ball on the floor, the ball just finds you. The basket just finds you. Karma just works that way. We made all the hustle plays in the second half, and the ball found the right guys who made the right plays."
 
Up next for the Aggies is a league-long four-game road swing, which starts on Jan. 26 at Hawai'i — the first of back-to-back opportunities for the Aggies to have a full week at their disposal to prepare for a league game. UC Davis is also off the following Thursday (Jan. 31) before heading to UC Riverside for its Feb. 2 game at UC Riverside, which will air nationwide on ESPN3.
 
The team's annual Central Coast road trip at Cal Poly (Feb. 7) and UCSB (Feb. 9) will take place before it returns to the Pavilion for the next home game, scheduled for Feb. 13 vs. CSUN.
 
 
 
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.