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DAVIS, Calif. – All 13 players who competed in Thursday night's 2019-20 home opener versus William Jessup scored for UC Davis, and led by senior guard Joe Mooney's 24-point effort, four players scored double figures in a game the Aggies won by a 109-63 score.
 
That result marked the first time that UC Davis scored 100 or more points in a game since Feb. 3, 2018, when it defeated Long Beach State in double overtime (105-104). The first home game of the season marked the first time the Aggies crossed the 100-point threshold, in a regulation game that ended with a victory, as a Division I program.
 
After playing two games within a three-day timespan, men's basketball will not return to action until next Thursday's tournament-opening game at the Red Wolves Classic. It will enter that event with a 1-1 overall record.
 
"I though the energy the guys played with on the defensive end was the difference between Tuesday's and Thursday's game," said head coach Jim Les.
 
"All five guys were engaged … our defense created offense for us. We ended up scoring 48 points in our season opener because we were focused on scoring. When we focused our efforts on defense, like the guys did tonight, we enjoyed a different result. We forced them to take tough shots, and responded by running the open floor."
 
Les added, "This is a talented group. The only way to create looks on the open floor is to force the other team to make mistakes and limit them to only one shot, as was the case throughout tonight's game."
 
Senior guard Stefan Gonzalez and freshman guard Ezra Manjon, who competed for the first time inside the Pavilion, each scored 16 points. Coming off a 15-point performance on Tuesday at Loyola Chicago, senior center Matt Neufeld matched that total in his team's inaugural home game of the year.
 
In his home debut, freshman guard Elijah Pepper led all players with six rebounds; Manjon also finished with a game-high seven of his team's 23 assists. His assist total was half of what the Warriors finished with combined.
 
Compared to the Aggies who shot .625 overall (40-for-64), the Warriors were held to a .338 shooting clip (22-for-65). UC Davis also scored 32 of its points off 19 William Jessup turnovers.
 
The Aggies outscored the Warriors 46-20 in the paint, on the fast break (36-13) and enjoyed an outstanding performance from their bench, which scored 78 points compared to the Warriors' 19.

UC Davis will face Idaho on Nov. 14 in the first of three games at the Red Wolves Classic, tipoff from Jonesboro, Ark., is set for for 3 p.m. PT/5 p.m. CT.

 
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.