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DAVIS, Calif. —  Led by Stefan Gonzalez and his game-high 19 points, all 12 players that saw action in Friday's non-conference finale at the Pavilion helped the Aggies score 100-plus points for the second time this season en route to a 101-41 victory over Holy Names.
 
UC Davis will enter Thursday's Big West Conference opener versus UC Riverside with a 6-10 overall record, and host the Highlanders on Hamilton Court in a game that will tip-off at 7 p.m.

"I am really pleased with the progress this team made, especially throughout the last month," said UC Davis head coach Jim Les. "The integrity of our practices has been good, with good intensity. I am a believer that if you put the work in before anyone is in the stands, and the lights are turned on, it eventually starts to pay off. It may not arrive as quickly as one would like, but it will come. 

"Out attention to detail, especially on the defensive end, is better. We have guys who are emotionally invested on that end of the floor ... and defending to their potential. I thought our guys played hard, played aggressive, and played with great purpose from tip-to-buzzer. That is what made this game fun to watch."
 
In addition to a 14-0 run midway through the first half, UC Davis scored 22 unanswered throughout the six minutes leading up to halftime. By forcing the Hawks to commit six turnovers during that timespan, combined with their 6:14 scoring drought, UC Davis entered the break with a 50-18 lead.
 
Those 18 points are the fewest scored by an Aggie opponent in a half since UC Santa Barbara was held to 15 in UC Davis' 2017 Big West opener, which took place on Jan. 4. As was the case with the Gauchos that evening, the Hawks posted that total before halftime; both games took place inside the Pavilion.
 
UC Davis broke the 100-point threshold by ending with a 16-2 run over the final 7:46 of the game. By making only one of their last 12 shots, and unable to score throughout the last 6:27 of action, the Hawks were held to 41 points, matching the fewest scored by an Aggie opponent during the program's D-I era.
 
On Dec. 30, 2008, Dartmouth was held to that total in a game the Aggies won by a 72-41 result
 
In addition to Gonzalez, who hit a season-high five shots from three, for the third time this season, Matt Neufeld ended his night with 13 points by hitting 5 of 7 shots from the floor. Ezra Manjon and Caleb Fuller each chipped in 11.

Led by Elijah Pepper and Kennedy Koehler, who collected a game-high eight and six boards, respectively, the Aggies out-rebounded the Hawks by a 42-35 margin overall and by 10 (32-22) on the defensive glass.
 
In addition to holding Holy Names to 24 pct. shooting overall (14-for-58), the Aggies' defense only allowed it to record five assists throughout the entire evening. By comparison, UC Davis earned an assist on 14 of 19 baskets in the first half, and 23 of 40 overall.

"Not only are we strengthening our defensive identity, I like our identity on offense. This team is doing a great job sharing the ball, and passing up good shots for great shots. I love that about this group," Les added.
 
UC Davis' ball protection was outstanding all night long as it only committed six turnovers throughout the entire game, narrowly missing on a season-low figure of four, which took place at Cal.
 
The Aggies scored 27 of their points off 21 HNU turnovers and outscored their opponent 50-18 in the paint. UC Davis' reserves also outscored their counterparts, 58-19.

No matter how one chooses to break down Friday's game, that performance, on both ends of the court, was a positive one for the Aggies heading into its inaugural league game of the year.

"We played a challenging schedule, and inside tough environments," said Les. "This team is prepped for Big West play,we faced some really good competition. I am not into moral victories, and want to win every game, but in the big picture, I love how this team continues to learn, grow, work hard and battle. I like our chances, heading into our conference schedule, to be successful."
 
 

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.