Sacramento, Calif. — For the sixth time in the last seven years, Golden 1 Center has played host to the Causeway Cup between cross-town rival, Sacramento State. On a busy Tuesday night, it was the Aggies coming out on top by a score of 82-71. The win tonight snaps a three-game losing streak to Sacramento State and moves UC Davis to 4-1 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Leading the charge for UC Davis was Elijah Pepper (24 PTS) and Christian Anigwe (22 PTS) who had the two-man game working all throughout the second half. Pepper finished the night also by adding six rebounds and a game-high eight assists. Anigwe was physical in the paint all night and finished with six rebounds, a block, and another impressive showing from outside by knocking down two three-pointers.
- The second half was a huge part of the game for the Aggies who trailed 40-33 after the first 20 minutes.
- Kane Milling was able to knock down four big three-pointers and finish with 14 points on the night. His last three extended to the lead to eight points late in the second half and seemed to be the dagger of the night. Milling also finished with a team-high nine rebounds.
- Four Aggies finished in double digits on the night, displaying yet again, the versatility up and down the Aggie rotation.
- Ty Johnson was the final double digit scorer for the Aggies as he finished with 11 points. Johnson also made a huge impact on the defensive side of the ball with a game-high four steals. He was disruptive at the point of attack all night with his instincts and anticipation for the ball.
- A second half press really caused fits for Sacramento State and was a huge key in stalling their offense in Davis' favor. After shooting 51.9% from he field and 70% from three-point range in the first half, UC Davis was able to hold Sacramento State to just 43.5% from the field and 28.6% from three during the second half.
- The intensity in the second half was jumpstarted by an Elijah Pepper three-pointer out of the break and from that point forward, Davis forced Sacramento State to a shortened clock for most of their possessions.
- Depth was a huge key of the game for Coach Les because of how much pressure and physicality was needed to respond to the strong Sacramento State start.
- Nine members logged minutes for the Aggies tonight and every one of them saw 10-plus minutes. This ability to trust guys and have multiple guys who can pick up the energy throughout the game really wore Sacramento State down and was a big factor in the second half comeback.
- UC Davis finished at 48% from the field and 47% from downtown.
- UC Davis won the rebound battle 37-29.
- UC Davis had 21 points off turnovers compared to Sacramento State's 12 and capitalized on second-chance points with Davis winning the margin 15-5.
UP NEXT
- UC Davis will get some rest for Thanksgiving before heading to host school, Milwaukee to compete in the Cream City Classic. Their first opponent will be Milwaukee and that game can be watched on ESPN+. The next two days for the Aggies during the tournament will see UC Davis take on Southeastern Missouri, and Boston University as both games will be live streamed on YouTube.
