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LA JOLLA, Calif. – For the first time since its December 4 home opener, UC Davis competed in an official game when it faced UC San Diego Friday night inside RIMAC Arena.
 
Since the NCAA adjusted its rules regarding transfer players during the team's hiatus, Christian Anigwe competed for the first time as an Aggie and nearly posted a double-double by finishing with nine points, and a game-high eight rebounds throughout his 23 minutes played. Damion Squire led a trio of double-digit scorers with 17 points, Elijah Pepper finished with 13 and Ezra Manjon added another 11 in the first of consecutive games scheduled to take place in La Jolla, California. 
 
Even though UC Davis' defense created 22 turnovers throughout the night (which led to 23 points) and forced its opponent to take contested shots all night long, those attempts still found a way to fall through the basket as the Tritons shot 68 percent from the floor in their 89-69 victory.
 
With Friday's result, the Aggies fall to 2-3 and the Tritons improved their record to 3-2. Under the Big West's new 2021 schedule format for league play, both teams will experience a quick turnaround and compete in the second head-to-head matchup, in as many days, when they square off in Saturday's 2 p.m. contest.
 
Responsible for the first points of the game with his three, Pepper scored again on a layup a few minutes later, following baskets from Kennedy Koehler and Manjon, to tie the game at nine apiece entering the under-16 officials' timeout.
 
Even though UC San Diego scored 15 of the following 21 points, UC Davis remained within striking distance at halftime trailing by 13 with an entire half of basketball still remaining.
 
Unfortunately for the Aggies, UCSD scored 10 unanswered points midway through the second half to extend its lead and ultimately win the game. Of the Tritons' three victories earned this season, each one of those results took place on its home court.   
 
UC Davis basketball fans can follow Saturday's game at UC San Diego through ESPN3's video stream, Sports 1140 KHTK's broadcast or through live stats.
 
 

ABOUT UC DAVIS
Over 700 student-athletes across 25 intercollegiate athletics teams, following the addition of equestrian and women's beach volleyball in 2018, are enrolled in 71 of more than 100 academic programs at the fifth-ranked public school in the nation.
 
Centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and the Napa Valley, UC Davis is known nationwide as a leader in Title IX gender equity and leadership, ranks annually in the top 10 in diversity and students' social mobility and offers an unrivaled student-athlete experience that features the ideal combination of elite academics, Division I athletics and personal growth.
 
UC Davis is uncommonly committed to preparing student-athletes for life after graduation with Aggie EVO — an innovative student-athlete outcomes program that helps young women and men develop passions, gain real-world experience, and enjoy a successful launch to full-time employment or graduate school. Through Aggie EVO, Intercollegiate Athletics provides unmatched resources and a vast network of working professionals to ensure post-graduation success for its student-athletes.