Davis, Calif. — The UC Davis Men's Basketball Team will be back in action Saturday, Feb. 25 when the Aggies visit Cal Poly. After the Aggies Thursday night game against Cal State Fullerton was canceled due to limited student-athlete availability, UC Davis is looking to get back on track, as the days till Henderson inch closer and closer.
A statement from Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca regarding last game's cancellation "We are disappointed that we cannot compete in this critical late season contest. However, after consulting with our medical professionals, it is clear that, while difficult, this is the best decision for our student-athletes' health and wellbeing."
While the game against Cal Poly was originally in question as the team monitored the availability of its student-athletes, the Aggies are fit enough to play and will try to pick up momentum with just three more games in the regular season.
Last time out against Cal Poly, UC Davis pulled off maybe the most miraculous comeback in Aggie Men's Basketball history with a 15-0 run during the final four minutes of play to take down the Mustangs. Leading the charge in that contest was Ty Johnson who recorded a game-high 21 points. Johnson will look to get back into his groove after being held scoreless Monday night against UC San Diego as he battled foul trouble.
The Aggies trail the all-time series history between Cal Poly and UC Davis with a game history of 36-31.
Cal Poly is led by John Smith while Alimamy Koroma is the offensive focal point for the Mustangs. Averaging a team-high 10.3 points per game, Koroma posted an efficient 14 points in just 16 minutes against the Aggies earlier in the season.
For the Aggies, it has been Elijah Pepper leading the way while the team has battled through some adversity. On pace to break the single season scoring record for UC Davis, Pepper should be at the top of every conversation revolving the Big West Player of the Year.
Averaging 22.1 points per game, Pepper is tied for seventh in the nation with national player of the year candidate Zach Edey of Purdue.
Entering San Luis Obispo with 597 total points on the season, Pepper needs just 10 more to break the 35 year old record for most points scored in a season by Aggie great, Randy DeBortoli.
The rest of the Aggie crew has chipped in as well, stepping up in big moments as the team has dealt with injuries, and in some cases, a bad luck of the draw.
Still being one of the best free throw shooting teams in the country, the Aggies rank fifth in attempts per game and have used this, alongside timely offensive rebounding and scrappy defense to fuel a 16-12 record on the season.
Delivering big minutes as of late, Leo DeBruhl, Kane Milling, and Christian Anigwe who has battled injuries himself, have kept the team firing on both ends of the court to make up for the absence of sharpshooter, Robby Beasley III, and defensive stalwart, Sione Lose.
UP NEXT
The final true road game for the Aggies, UC Davis will be back in the friendly confines of the University Credit Union Center after the game against Cal Poly as UC Davis is set to host UC Santa Barbara (Mar. 2), and Long Beach State (Mar. 4) before heading to Henderson, Nevada for The Big West Championships.
