Davis, Calif. — It was a night of high-scoring heroics for Elijah Pepper and Ty Johnson, but it wasn't enough to lift the UC Davis men's basketball team over the Milwaukee Panthers as the Aggies (3-5) lost a nail-biter 81-79 at the University Credit Union Center.
Pepper and Johnson, who slot in atop the nation in scoring as a returning backcourt pair last season, each erupted for 28 points on the Panthers, showcasing their versatility on the offensive end of the floor. Pepper, who ranks second in program history in scoring, also collected six rebounds and shot 56% from the field. Pepper with his 28 points tonight, now needs just 49 more points to become the all-time leading scorer in Aggie history.
Johnson, his dynamic partner, distributed four assists and recorded two steals, while dominating the paint with a 53% shooting clip.
Leo DeBruhl, the junior guard made his second start of the season and contributed with eight points, four assists and three steals.
UC Davis used their advantage in offensive rebounding to help control the majority of the game, grabbing 11 boards that led to 12 second chance points.
Niko Rocak, the junior forward, was particularly active on the glass, hauling in four offensive rebounds during his 19 minutes of action. Rocak also was making his presence known on the other side of the court, coming away with four "stocks" (steals + blocks) which helped the Aggies get out in transition to 16 fastbreak points.
As a team, the Aggies played with their usual intensity on the defensive end, forcing 18 Milwaukee turnovers and converting them into 29 points. DeBruhl stood out in this department for the Aggies, tying for a game-high in steals, with three. Even with this strong effort, the trio of Erik Pratt, Aaron Franklin and Markieth Browning II led the Panthers down the stretch, drilling clutch shot after clutch shot.
HOW IT HAPPENED
UC Davis started strong, building a 13-4 lead after a Johnson layup capped an 8-0 run midway through the first half. But Milwaukee fought back, using a 17-4 spurt to take a 39-35 lead into the break. The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with UC Davis clawing back to take a 74-71 lead on another Johnson layup with 3:28 left.
The scoring would continue the same "back-and-forth" theme, as the Panthers went on a small 6-0 run of their own which was in turn, stopped in its tracks by a pair of free throws from Johnson, and a layup from Pepper to tie the game at 79-79.
The Panthers would ultimately have the last word, as Faizon Fields knocked down two free-throws with just seconds remaining to take the lead and the victory.
GAME NOTES
»
Elijah Pepper,
Ty Johnson, and
Leo DeBruhl led the Aggies in scoring.
» The UC Davis defense forced 18 turnovers.
» UC Davis cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Pepper and Johnson shared a game-high 28 points.
» UC Davis got a team-high six rebounds from
Elijah Pepper.
