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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!  
 
 
HONOLULU – Thanks to a 13-3 scoring run throughout the latter portion of the first half in Saturday's Big West Conference game in Honolulu, UC Davis erased an early eight-point deficit to regain the lead against the Rainbow Warriors.
 
Throughout the first 20 minutes, a crowd of 6,265 witnessed a fast-paced game and saw each team shoot 50 percent from the floor, or higher: UC Davis connected on 13 of its 26 attempts and UH shot 15-for-29. Those two field goals, combined with four additional free throws made by UH compared to the Aggies, comprised the home team's eight-point halftime lead.
 
UC Davis forced the Rainbow Warriors to open the second half with a turnover, one of nine committed after the break, which helped keep its deficit to single digits until Hawai'i pulled away for good by scoring 10 unanswered to defeat the Aggies, 80-60.
 
Compared to games that took place in recent seasons at UH, Saturday's matchup was an anomaly since these teams split the previous two games inside the Stan Sheriff Center, each by a two-possession margin.
 
As was the case this past week, UC Davis will not compete in a midweek game this upcoming week, will return to action at UC Riverside on Feb. 2, and enter that ESPN3 broadcast at 5-14 overall and 1-4 against league teams.
 
By recording its 10th home win of the year, Hawai'i improved to 12-7 and 3-2.
 
Junior communication major Matt Neufeld scored 10 of his career-high 17 points after the break, hit a career-high 6 of 10 shots from the floor and 5 of 6 at the free throw line to post his sixth double-figure point total of the year and second in as many games.
 
Senior psychology major AJ John was red hot from the moment he first stepped onto the court by hitting his first four shots, which included two from three-point territory, and finished with a season-high 16 points throughout his 22 minutes of action.
 
In addition to connecting of 6 of 9 attempts overall, and 4 of 7 from three, John collected a career-high three steals and blocked one shot.
 
Combined with senior communication major TJ Shorts II, who singlehandedly forced four Rainbow Warrior turnovers with his steals, the pair were responsible for nearly half of their opponents' miscues (7 of 15).
 
As a team, the Aggies capitalized on those turnovers by scoring 17 points, but were unable to pull within striking distance entering the final minutes of the game because of UH's late scoring run.
 
One week after collecting 11 against Cal Poly and posting the second double-digit total of his career, Shorts II earned eight of his team's 14 assists at Hawai'i. In the last two games combined, the fourth-year point guard is responsible for 19 of UC Davis' 30, and has now posted team-high assists totals in 14 games throughout the season.
 
Led by Neufeld and Shorts II, who each finished 5 of 6 at the line, the Aggies sank 13 of their 16 attempts at the stripe (.813 pct.), including 10 of 12 after halftime.
 
Neufeld's six rebounds were a team-high total, which took place after he collected a career-high nine and led all Aggies in their previous game versus the Mustangs.

Shorts II also scored in double figures by ending his evening with 11 points.
 
Sheriff Drammeh was one of four Hawai'i players who scored 10 or more points, and led his squad with 18. 
 
 
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.