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CHICAGO – Matt Neufeld ended Tuesday's 2019-20 season opener at Loyola Chicago with a game-high 15 points, on 7 of 11 shooting, and five Aggies made their college debut inside Gentile Arena, but the host Ramblers scored 21 of their points off 14 UC Davis turnovers to record an 82-48 victory.
 
Neufeld's point total was two shy of matching a career high.
 
The Aggies will enter Thursday's 7 p.m. home opener versus William Jessup with a 0-1 record, Loyola Chicago will eontine its season at 1-0.
 
"(The Ramblers) did not play well in last week's exhibition game, and we talked to everyone about how they were going to start tonight's game with a higher level of intensity. We just did not respond well to that," said head coach Jim Les.
 
"Once we fell behind, we fell out of character … and started getting away from what we do."
 
The Ramblers' ability to create turnovers, and score on those extra possessions was a key reason why it jumped out to a sizable lead in the second half. At the under-16 media timeout in the second half, the two-time defending Missouri Valley Conference champions, and 2018 Final Four participant, held a +17 advantage in points off turnovers.

Freshman Ezra Manjon scored seven points and posted a team-high three assists, Kennedy Koehler connected on 2 of 3 shots to finish with four points and an assist, Elijah Pepper canned two shots fo finish with four points and Ade Adebayo completed a list of true freshmen who competed in their first Division I game.  
 
Redshirt freshman B.J. Shaw hit a three in his first game in a UC Davis uniform; the Aggies' quintet will suit up for their first home game Thursday night when the Warriors visit the Pavilion.
 
After that game concludes, men's basketball will play its next eight straight outside of Davis and not return to Bob Hamilton Court until December 7 when Northern Illinois visits campus.
 
 
 
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.