SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — The UC Davis men's basketball team used another strong defensive performance to secure a 59-52 win against the Cal Poly Mustangs on the road Saturday. Holding the Mustangs to just 34 percent from the field, the Aggies and their Big West leading three-point defense proved to be key, as UC Davis limited the Mustangs to just two makes from behind the arc in the second half to completely shift the momentum.
Offensively, the Aggies (14-8, 9-2) had three players score in double figures, led by Elijah Pepper, who had 16 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Ty Johnson added 13 points and two steals during his 23 minutes of action, while Connor Sevilla proved to be the ultimate microwave scorer the Aggies needed tonight, contributing with 10 points off the bench on a perfect 4-4 effort from the field.
Led by Niko Rocak's five offensive rebounds, UC Davis did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 13 boards that resulted in 13 second chance points. The Aggies continue to find success in games they control the boards, improving to 11-1 in games they've held the rebound advantage.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After falling behind 14-12, UC Davis went on a 6-0 run with 7:33 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Pepper, to take an 18-14 lead. The Aggies then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 25-23 advantage. UC Davis capitalized on their rebound advantage in the period, scoring eight second chance points, while also getting out in transition, scoring five points on the break.
Following intermission, UC Davis kept widening that lead, expanding it to 28-24 before going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Pepper's three, to grow the lead to 36-24 with 15:37 to go in the contest.
The Mustangs rallied to shave the lead to single figures in the dying minutes, but the Aggies' formidable defense snuffed out their hopes of taking the lead in the half and earned a 59-52 win.
GAME NOTES
» The Aggies held the Mustangs to only 34 percent shooting from the field.
» UC Davis never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Off the bench, Connor Sevilla provided a huge spark, scoring 10 points on a perfect 4-4 showing from the field.
» UC Davis had a 39-34 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, tallying five blocks as a team.
» UC Davis cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
» Elijah Pepper led the Aggies with a game-high 16 points.
» UC Davis got a team-high nine rebounds from Niko Rocak.
