DAVIS, Calif. — With the clock ticking down and the game on the line, Ty Johnson rose up and delivered the clutch shot that sealed the deal for the UC Davis men's basketball team. Johnson's 3-pointer with seven seconds left gave the Aggies a thrilling 54-52 win over the UC Irvine Anteaters at home on Saturday in front of a packed crowd at the University Credit Union Center. With the win, UC Davis now claims sole possession of first place in the Big West standings at 7-1.
Johnson dazzled all the day for the Aggies (12-7, 7-1), scoring a game-high 19 points, dishing out five assists, and grabbing five rebounds. He was one of three players in double figures for UC Davis, along with Elijah Pepper, who had 14 points, and Kane Milling, who contributed 10 points and a game-high nine rebounds.
En route to his 14 points on the night, Pepper crossed over yet another milestone to his legendary career. Needing just four points entering the contest to reach 2,000 career-points, it didn't take long for Pepper to make history. After finishing an early and-one opportunity to give him three points, Pepper would come down just two possessions later, curling up to the right-sided wing where he drilled a three-pointer much akin to his usual efforts that Aggie fans have grown to love. With the basket to cross the 2,000 career-point threshold, Pepper
became one of just seven players in Big West history to reach this milestone, and one of just six active players to be have recorded at least 2,000 career-points.
With Milling pacing UC Davis in the rebounding department, the Aggies were able to dominate the boards, grabbing 45 rebounds to the Anteaters' 38. A big part of this rebound battle was the Aggies ability to make the most out of their second chances, scoring 10 points off 14 offensive rebounds. UC Davis improves to 9-1 in games they have held the rebound advantage.
The Aggie defense was equally impressive, holding UC Irvine to just 14.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 33.3 percent from the field. The Anteaters, who came into the game undefeated in Big West play and rating out as one of the most efficient offenses in the conference, were held to their lowest point total of the season.
Niko Rocak proved to be a true anchor all-night for UC Davis, setting a program record for most blocks in a game with six. Rocak ranks first during conference play in blocks, recording 2.1 per game, and stands alone as the only player to be averaging more than two per game during the first month of Big West action. Offensively, Rocak battled all night and was responsible for a pair of emphatic slams that provided life to the home crowd.
The Aggies' win was their fourth in a row and their eighth in their last nine games.
The game was a nail-biter from start to finish, with 12 lead changes and five ties. Neither team led by more than seven points at any point.
After the game, Johnson spoke in depth about his unwavering confidence with the game on the line. "Big-time players make big-time shots in moments like that," Johnson said. "I work so hard in and out of practice so much and manifest the ability to make those type plays, and lately it's been coming through so I'm going to stick with it."
UC Davis coach
Jim Les also praised Johnson's performance and leadership today.
"We have confidence and a lot of faith in putting the ball in his hands to go and make a good decision with space."
The Aggies will look to keep their momentum going when they host UC San Diego next Saturday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Aggies overcame an early deficit with a dominant stretch in the first half, scoring 10 unanswered points in less than four minutes, capped by a Milling layup that made it 21-14 with 10:45 to go. They let the Anteaters close the gap, but still managed to take a 27-25 lead into the break, thanks to their opportunistic defense, a big story in the first half for the Aggies was their ability to force eight early turnovers and convert them into 13 points.
The Aggies kept their composure in the second half, as Milling scored a crucial basket that put them ahead 50-48 with 3:12 left. They also tightened their defense, led by Rocak, who denied the Anteaters any field goals for four minutes until they finally tied the game at 50-50 with 2:58 to go. Johnson then made a free throw that gave the Aggies a slim 51-50 lead, but it was quickly erased by a tough shot from UC Irvine's point guard that made it 52-51 for the visitors with 17 seconds remaining. That set the stage for Johnson's heroics, as he nailed a step-back three-pointer from the corner that proved to be the game-winner. The Anteaters had one last chance to answer with 6.8 seconds left, but they missed a good look from beyond the arc and the Aggies celebrated a 54-52 victory.
GAME NOTES
» Ty Johnson's three with 7 seconds left put UC Davis ahead for good.
» The Aggies held the Anteaters to only 33.3 percent shooting from the field.
» UC Davis had a stellar day defensively, holding UC Irvine to 14 percent from three point land on 14 attempts.
» UC Davis had a 45-38 edge on the boards in the win.
» The UC Davis defense forced 15 turnovers.
» The Aggies were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, as Niko Rocak tallied a single-game program record, six blocks.
» UC Davis cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
» Ty Johnson led the Aggies with a game-high 19 points.
» UC Davis got a game-high nine rebounds from Kane Milling.
