Davis, Calif. — In a matinee showing of some college hoops, the UC Davis Men's Basketball Team lost their game to the UC Irvine Anteaters 78-76. Erasing a 14 point deficit against the top team in the Big West, the Aggies scrapped and clawed their way throughout the entire second half to bring themselves within striking distance but it was not enough to secure the victory.
Trailing the game 39-31 at half, the Aggies were having difficulty keeping the Anteaters off the glass early on and it led to an eye opening 13 offensive boards for UC Irvine. That narrative would totally flip as Davis limited UC Irvine to just two offensive rebounds in the second half.
Powering through with a strong final 20 minutes of action, Elijah Pepper was yet again at the front of the offensive attack. Tying his career-high of 32 for the second consecutive game, Pepper has scored 30+ in four straight games while scoring 28+ in seven straight games. Pepper is displaying the most dominant scoring run in UC Davis history throughout the last stretch of games, scoring in a multitude of ways, all the while being seemingly targeted on defense with physicality.
Pepper has 575 points on the season, tied for fourth most in Aggie history for total points. He is 31 points away from having the most prolific scoring season in Aggie history. Another record on the radar for Pepper is the career scoring record as he trails all-time Aggie leader Audwin Thomas by 341 points for most points in a career.
Even in the defeat, UC Davis can be proud of the resiliency and fight they showed as a team during the final 20. Outscoring the Anteaters 45-39 in the second half, UC Davis saw some big shots down the stretch from Christian Anigwe (17 PTS), and Leo DeBruhl (9 PTS).
With 17 points to his name, Anigwe in fact made the most impact tonight on the interior as he tied his career-high in blocks with five. After missing some time with an injury, Christian is getting better with each game.
A game the Aggies will hope they have a chance to get back in the Big West Championships, UC Davis will point to their 37.5% field goal percentage, and early struggles on the glass as reasons that left them short with their desired result today.
GAME NOTES
- UC Davis finished 26-64 from the field, compared to UC Irvine's 28-60.
- The Aggies recorded just five assists compared to UC Irvine's 16.
- Losing the rebound battle 39-36, UC Davis drops to 2-9 in games they are out rebounded.
- Battling some injuries as a team, UC Davis ran an 8-man rotation compared to UC Irvine who had a 12-man rotation.
- Continuing their ways of forcing teams to turn the ball over, Ty Johnson had a game-high three steals.
- A game full of fouls, UC Davis finished the day 19-22 from the free throw line.
UP NEXT
The Aggies have a quick turnaround as they are set to take on UC San Diego Monday at the University Credit Union Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 P.M.
