DAVIS, Calif. – For the last time in 2022-23, UC Davis (13-12, 9-6 Big West) will compete inside the friendly confines of the University Credit Union Center, hosting Cal State Fullerton (11-15, 6-11 Big West) and Cal Poly (9-15, 6-10 Big West) for a pair of very meaningful conference tilts.
The Aggies leapfrogged UC San Diego after defeating the Tritons in La Jolla, jumping to fifth place in the conference standings. Hawai'i is in fourth place with a half-game advantage and UC Davis will look to make the most of its home court advantage in the next two contests.
Prior to Saturday's game, four seniors -
Makaila Sanders,
Tess Sussman,
Lena Svanholm, and
Megan Jones – will be honored for their contributions to the women's basketball program as part of the Senior Day ceremony.
Game 26: vs. Cal State Fullerton
Where: Davis, Calif. (University Credit Union Center)
When: February 23
rd, 2023
Time: 6:00 p.m. PT
Watch:
ESPN+
How to Listen:
The Varsity Network
Live Stats
Game 27: vs. Cal Poly –
Senior Day
Where: Davis, Calif. (University Credit Union Center)
When: February 25
th, 2023
Time: 2:00 p.m. PT
Watch:
ESPN+
How to Listen:
The Varsity Network
Live Stats
Game Notes
LAST TIME OUT
After Saturday's scheduled contest against UC Irvine was unexpectedly canceled, the Aggies used the extra days of rest to great effect and delivered an outstanding performance in La Jolla where they downed UC San Diego 72-49.
Evanne Turner and
Tova Sabel combined for 44 points in the win as UC Davis was dominant from start to finish in a game where the Aggies couldn't seem to miss from the perimeter. The Aggies made 13 three-pointers in the contest, with 10 of those shots coming from the hands of Turner and Sabel.
It was also quite an efficient shooting night as UC Davis shot 43.1% as a team and 40.6% from beyond the arc. The Aggies took care of the basketball and recorded a season-low nine turnovers, but brought some serious pressure on the defensive end, forcing 20 Triton turnovers.
SERIES HISTORY
The Aggies and Titans will meet for the 37th time, with UC Davis holding a 23-13 lead in the all-time series. Cal State Fullerton handed UC Davis a 67-51 defeat on Jan. 14 and the Aggies will look to avenge the early loss as they have found form in the latter half of the season.
UC Davis holds a 39-23 series lead against Cal Poly as the teams square off for the 63rd time in their history. The Aggies went down to San Luis Obispo and grabbed a 74-52 win on Jan. 21.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
Cal State Fullerton has struggled as of late, dropping five of its last six contests. The Titans have lost two in a row and will look to make a final push towards a top-six spot in the last two weeks of the regular season. CSUF currently sits in eighth place, just a half-game behind seventh place Cal Poly. Una Jovanovic and Fujika Nimmo are the second and third ranked scorers in the conference, leading the fifth-best scoring offense (59.7 ppg) in the Big West.
Cal Poly brings a three-game win streak into Saturday's contest, giving itself a chance at a top-six spot with the regular season winding down. First year Head Coach Shanele Stires has been making the most of a team that has lacked a dominant scorer by emphasizing the offensive glass, as the Mustangs rank second with 11.3 orpg. Annika Shah is the only player averaging double-digits with her 10.1 ppg.
TURNER MAKES HISTORY…AGAIN
After
Evanne Turner's brilliant performance on Feb. 20, she ascends to No. 16 on the UC Davis all-time scoring list. With 1,110 points for her career, Turner is just three points away from climbing the ladder yet again and catching Brenda Wyneken (1981-84) who is ranked 15th all-time.
THE SPECTACULAR SWEDE
Tova Sabel has posted four straight double-digit scoring hauls with two consecutive games over the 20-point mark. She is one of two Aggies average double-digits (10.2 ppg) and has done it efficiently, making 41.8% of her shots from the field.
NEXT UP
The Aggies conclude the regular season in Southern California with for two road games. UC Davis will take on UC Santa Barbara on March 2 before the final regular season game on March 4 at Long Beach State.
