Davis, Calif. — 50 minutes of pure madness resulted in an instant classic that UC Davis fans will never forget. A double-overtime battle in front of a rowdy crowd of 2,217 people, the UC Davis Men's Basketball Team was able to gut out a 93-92 win over visiting Long Beach State.
With today's game signaling the final time at the University Credit Union Center for seniors
Patrick Lambey and
Christian Anigwe, the Aggies held a special ceremony prior to the start to recognize all the contributions that Patrick, Christian, and three other graduating student managers have provided to the UC Davis Men's Basketball program.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After playing in a thriller just two nights ago, the Aggies topped it in every sense you could think of. Drawing a foul with 2.2 seconds left in regulation, Elijah Pepper stepped up to the line and knocked down the game-tying free throws to send the game into overtime.
The Aggies had three players score in in double figures led by Pepper and his 28 point, 10 rebound double-double. Pepper also had a game-high tying, four steals. Ty Johnson also returned to form, adding 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. This was the first time Ty reached 20+ points since the Aggies first game of February and UC Davis needed all of his 22 during the back-and-forth game.
The final double figure scorer for UC Davis was senior Christian Anigwe, who delivered a legacy game during his final game at Bob Hamilton Court.
Anigwe poured in 21 points, four rebounds, and one block while leading the Aggies with a game high box plus/minus of +11. On a night where Christian was recognized pregame for all his contributions to the UC Davis Men's Basketball program and the UC Davis community, Anigwe showed out in front of the Aggie faithful for one last time, with the highlight being his spectacular first half of basketball.
Just a year removed from an injury-riddled 2021-22 season, Christian has yet again been struck by some bad luck with unfortunate injuries lately. Limiting him at times throughout the year, Christian has been one of the best players in the conference when 100% healthy and even on a night with short rest, after Thursday's battle against the Gauchos, it didn't stop him from delivering at the most important time of the year. After a first half that saw UC Davis jump out to a 39-29 lead, Anigwe was responsible for 16 of the Aggies points on a perfect 7-7 shooting from the field.
While seemingly in control early on with this 39-29 lead, and controlling the rhythm of the game for the early parts of the second half, the final thirty minutes of basketball that ensued resembled that of a heavyweight of showdown.
With Long Beach State strapping up over the final 10 minutes of regulation and causing problem with their packed-in defense, the Aggies were snake-bitten by live ball turnovers that fueled an 18-1 run from The Beach. Turnovers coupled with a 1-11 cold streak from the field during this run, The Beach clawed their way back and snatched complete control, possessing an 11 point lead late into regulation.
Never giving in, the Aggies used the clock to their advantage and delivered a huge 7-0 swing during the final 30 seconds of regulation as multiple Aggies stepped up to the line and made The Beach pay for giving the Aggies scoring opportunities with a stopped clock.
After Pepper forced the first overtime with his critical pair of free throws, the Aggies were yet again threatened with their backs up against the wall after a pair of Long Beach State three pointers in the first overtime period saw UC Davis trail 81-77.
Needing to create some magic with it being a two possession game, the Aggies were fortunate Kane Milling was fouled on a three point attempt. This again provided UC Davis with points while the clock was stopped. A night where free throws were so prominent, the Aggies showed yet again why they are among the best in the nation at drawing and making their attempts from the line. Winning the free throw battle, the Aggies made every important charity stripe shot down the stretch and finished the game 33-40, compared to Long Beach State's 15-27 effort. With shaky shooting from the line being a problem early in the season, the Aggies flexed their development and toughness in this department tonight.
Fouling late in the first overtime, Long Beach State left the door open for the Aggies. After Pepper tied the game to force overtime, he delivered yet again, this time, getting the matchup he wanted on the elbow and driving downhill to tie it 82-82 with 13.3 seconds. After a look from downtown missed wide by Long Beach State, fans in attendance were presented with another extra five minutes of basketball.
With the Aggies jumping out to a 86-82 lead to kick off the second double-overtime, The Beach would respond after forcing a late turnover that saw Long Beach State's Lassina Traore get out in transition with a breakaway dunk and cap off his historic night. Traore finished the game with 22 points and 20 rebounds.
Even with this seemingly costly turnover, the Cardiac Aggies leaned on Pepper to make up for this mistake as the all-time single season scoring leader in Aggie history knocked down the most important free throws of the season after he was mauled by two Beach players driving to the basket.
With Pepper being the guy offensively tonight who willed the Aggies back whenever he was called upon, it was Ade Adebayo everywhere else coming up with huge stops and rebounds, doing the dirty work for UC Davis. With more than 20 seconds on the clock for Long Beach State to create a quality look, it was none other than Adebayo who stifled The Beach at the summit and seal the deal for the Aggies in one of the greatest games in UC Davis Men's Basketball history.
GAME NOTES
»
Elijah Pepper's free throw with 21 seconds left put UC Davis ahead for good.
» Pepper notched an impressive double-double for the Aggies with 28 points and 10 rebounds.
» Pepper,
Ty Johnson, and
Christian Anigwe combined to account for 76 percent of the Aggies points.
» The UC Davis defense forced 16 turnovers.
» UC Davis cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
» The Aggies had three players score over 20 points in the contest.
Elijah Pepper led the way with 28 points,
Ty Johnson had 22, and
Christian Anigwe added 21.
»
Elijah Pepper and
Ade Adebayo led UC Davis with 10 rebounds each.
UP NEXT
Securing the win in this instant classic, the Aggies will now transition their focus to the Big West Championships in Henderson, Nevada. The win today secured the Aggies the sixth seed in the tournament and as a result, they will play Thursday night, March 9 at 8:30 PM.
