DAVIS, Calif. – Redshirt freshman center Megan Norris finished with her first career double-double in her collegiate debut as the UC Davis women's basketball team won their 2022-23 season opener by a score of 84-36 over Bethel College (KS) Monday morning at the University Credit Union Center.
 
"It's always exciting to play this first game of the season," head coach Jennifer Gross said. "For our team, there was a lot that we did well and a lot that I think we have to clean up and improve as we move forward. It was just fun to get a chance to suit up and have it count. This team has been working really hard and we're really excited to get this season going."
 
With their season-opening victory on home court, the Aggies improve to 1-0 on the 2022-23 campaign and 28-21 all-time in season-opening contests. Monday's contest was an exhibition for the Threshers.
 
Norris led the charge offensively with her first career double-double, shooting 8-for-12, scoring 20 points, and collecting 11 total rebounds.
 
"I'm really proud of Megan," Gross said of Norris' performance. "She's put in a lot of work. She's stepping into a role where we're relying on her for a lot of things. The exciting thing with Megan is she's got such a high ceiling and she's just getting started."
 
Junior Evanne Turner followed behind Norris with 17 points, including a team-best five three-pointers. The Aggies welcomed four new faces to the floor, which featured junior Tova Sabel and freshman Nya Epps, who finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
 
UC Davis shot 50 percent from the field, including hitting 10-of-15 from the line, and dishing out 20 assists. The Aggies controlled their possessions in the paint, outscoring the Threshers, 50-8, inside. The defense limited Bethel College (KS) to just 19 percent shooting for the game, including just allowing just three points on 1-of-13 shooting in the second quarter.

The Aggies will now travel for their first road game of the season against Washington on Friday, Nov. 11 at 5 pm PT.
 
How It Happened
 
UC Davis dominated all four quarters but got off to a surging start thanks to home crowd energy right from the opening tip-off. Turner collected nine of 17 points in the first frame, draining three three-pointers to set the tone early as part of a 14-0 run. UC Davis would close out the first quarter with a 21-12 lead.
 
The Aggies piled onto their lead in the second quarter, outscoring the Threshers by a score of 19-3 to extend their lead at halftime to 40-15. UC Davis saw non-starters score six of its 19 total points off the bench in the quarter.
 
Norris took over in the third quarter, with a team-high 11 points and not missing a shot during that stretch. The Aggies padded their lead with their highest-scoring quarter of the game (23 points) to give the Aggies the 63-26 edge.
 
UC Davis continued to use momentum to their advantage, beginning the final quarter on a 10-0 run, which featured back-to-back threes by Turner and sophomore Sydney Burns. The Threshers strung together some baskets late, but the Aggies still cruised the rest of the way to an 84-36 victory.
 
Game Notes
» The Aggies held the Threshers to 19.3 percent shooting from the field
» The Aggies never trailed in the game after Turner splashed the game's opening three-pointer 51 seconds in.
» The Aggies scored 50 points in the paint while allowing just eight points in the paint to the Threshers.
» The UC Davis bench made an impact by adding 35 points to its scoring output.
» The Aggies' defense forced 19 turnovers and scored 24 points off turnovers.
» The Aggies came up with 11 steals.
» Megan Norris led the Aggies with a game-high 20 points.
» UC Davis got a team-high 11 rebounds from Megan Norris.