SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Elijah Pepper and Ty Johnson each added 24 points in UC Davis' 79-69 road win over UC Santa Barbara Thursday night to help the Aggies improve to 8-2 in Big West action.
The Aggies (13-8, 8-2) delivered a statement win over the Gauchos on Thursday night, thanks in part to the duo of Pepper and Johnson. The two guards combined for 48 points, with each scoring 24 points a piece. While lacing the nets offensively, the backcourt duo also contributed to the Aggies' dominant defense, which forced 16 turnovers and held the Gauchos to just one three-point make for the entire night.
In conference play, the pair of Pepper and Johnson are two of only three players in Big West who average at least two steals per game.
Pepper in addition to his scoring prowess, filled up the stat sheet, tacking on seven rebounds, six assists, and four steals. With four steals tonight, Pepper crossed another career threshold, recording his 200th career steal as he now has 203 and counting in his time as an Aggie. Pepper has now recorded 11 straight games with at least one steal, and has posted two consecutive games with four steals to his name. Pepper's scoring output tonight also now means that the senior from Selah, Washington has reached 20 or more points 15 times this season.
Johnson was equally impressive, adding three assists and two steals all while setting the tone for UC Davis with his relentless pressure and clutch shooting. His defensive pressure at the point-of-attack was instrumental in the Aggies ability to force 16 Gaucho turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 16 points on the offensive end of the floor for the Aggies. In addition to this, Johnson may have produced the play of the night, burying a late heave from about five steps behind the three-point line as the shot clock was expiring to stall UC Santa Barbara's momentum in its tracks.
On a night where Pepper and Johnson each had it going offensively, it was great for the Aggies offense to have two other double figure scorers in the fold.
Kane Milling continues to be a steady scoring presence for the Aggies, delivering an efficient 13 points on a 6-8 showing from the field. Milling also hauled in five rebounds in his 34 minutes of action.
Niko Rocak was the final double figure producer for the Aggies and he was a force to be reckoned with in the paint tonight. He finished the night with 10 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. He has been on a mission as of late, recording at least one block in the past eight games with five of those games seeing him record multiple blocks.
With the Aggies locking it down defensively, UC Davis was able to get out in transition and share the ball well. Racking up 18 assists on 29 made field goals, Pepper's six assists paced the Aggies tonight alongside
Pablo Tamba who also helped out with three assists of his own.
The Aggies will look to keep the momentum of the new month going with a quick turnaround on Saturday, as the Aggies prepare to take on Cal Poly at 3:00 p.m. (PT) in San Luis Obispo.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After jumping out to a 26-23 advantage, UC Davis went on a 9-0 run with 8:57 left in the first half to increase its lead to 35-23. The Aggies then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 46-37 advantage.
UC Davis would hold two decently-sized leads in the second half leading by 12 points and 11 points in the middle portions of the half. This lead would eventually be threatened after a flurry of some tough jump shots from the Gauchos brought the lead to just three points with two minutes remaining. The lead while challenged by UC Santa Barbara would remain intact as the Aggies would answer back by going on a 7-0 run to close out the contest, and hold on for the 79-69 win.
GAME NOTES
» UC Davis never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» UC Davis recorded 18 total assists in the game.
» UC Davis had a 31-25 edge on the boards in the win.
» The UC Davis defense forced 16 turnovers.
»
Elijah Pepper led the Aggies with 24 points and
Ty Johnson added 24.
» UC Davis got a game-high nine rebounds from
Niko Rocak.
