Score: UC Davis 57, Arizona State 50
Location: Davis, Calif. (University Credit Union Center)
Records: UC Davis 6-4, Arizona State 5-5
  
The short story: Double-digit scorers Tova Sabel, Nya Epps, and Megan Norris pushed the Aggies past the Sun Devils 57-50 on Sunday, Dec. 15. This win is UC Davis' first over a program in a Power 4 conference since the 2021-22 season.
 
OPENING TIP 

• This win marks the first for the Aggies against a Power 4 opponent since beating then PAC-12 foe Oregon 64-57 up in Eugene on Dec. 1, 2021.
• It was also the Aggies' first home win over a Power 4 school since they knocked off Washington State in the University Credit Union Center on Nov. 10, 2017.
• Tova Sabel (13), Nya Epps (11), and Megan Norris (10) each hit double-digit points.
• Sabel also stayed productive on the defensive end, bringing in nine rebounds.
• Freshman Ryann Bennett elevated the second unit, bringing in 23 minutes, nine points, two rebounds, and two assists off the bench.

WHAT HEAD COACH JENNIFER GROSS HAD TO SAY

"To get the win today we needed everybody to just play together, and I thought we did a good job playing for each other, today was a team win. I felt like both teams needed to grind it out a little bit today, and I thought we did a tremendous job defensively. They've got a team full of scorers and I thought our team stepped up to the challenge and defended very well for 40 minutes."

 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• After giving up the first four points of the contest, Davis used back-to-back layups from Sabel and Epps to tie it up early at four.
• The Sun Devils continued to apply pressure, cashing in a three-pointer at the halfway point of the quarter to lead 10-4.
• But the Aggies held strong, using an 8-2 lead to tie the game at 12 apiece after the first.
• The back-and-forth affair continued for both clubs in the second, with an And-1 bucket from Victoria Baker bringing life into the building and helping lead the Aggies to a 22-20 lead at the half.
• Coming out of the locker room, the Davis offense came alive with three-pointers from Mazatlan Harris and Epps helping build a seven-point lead halfway through the third.
• Arizona State looked to chip into the lead, getting as close as four, but the Aggies kept their foot on the gas, using layups from Norris and Sydney Burns to hold a 42-34 lead going into the final quarter.
• Halfway through the fourth, with the Sun Devils down only two, UC Davis looked to close things out with three quick points from Bennett and Norris.
• Just 30 seconds later, a layup from Arizona State cut the lead to three.
• With her team needing a bucket, Tova Sabel took control of the offense, cashing in a triple followed by a clutch layup off the Norris assist to build the lead back up to eight. 
• The Sun Devils looked to respond with a myriad of fouls, but it wasn't enough as the home team would go on to secure the 57-50 win.

 
UP NEXT: UC Davis will have a quick turnaround as they hit the road to take on the Idaho Vandals on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Tipoff is set for 11:00 a.m. PT and Aggie fans can tune in to watch the game live on ESPN+.
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