DAVIS, Calif. -- Tova Sabel etched her name in the annals of UC Davis women's basketball history, amassing a double-double with a season-high 28 points while reaching 1,000 points for her career, leading the Aggies to their 64-56 victory over UC San Diego on Thursday night at the University Credit Union Center.
The Aggies are now 16-13 overall with a 12-7 mark in conference play, sitting in a three-way tie for third place alongside UC Riverside and Cal Poly as the teams enter the final day of the regular season this Saturday. Sabel was nothing short of fantastic in the win, dropping 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. The Swedish guard was dominant on the glass, pulling down a career-best 12 rebounds as the junior was all over the floor.
Complementing Sabel's heroics, Sydney Burns contributed 13 points and five assists while Evanne Turner chipped in with nine points. Victoria Baker provided some massive energy with eight points off the bench in just 13 minutes of action.
Mazatlan Harris was a force to be reckoned with on the offensive glass, leading the charge with three offensive rebounds that translated into 11 second-chance points, a key factor in the Aggies' offensive strategy.
The Aggies' defense was equally tenacious, coercing UC San Diego into 13 turnovers. These takeaways were adeptly converted into nine points, with Harris again leading the individual effort with three steals.
How It Happened
The game commenced with both teams evenly matched, resulting in an 11-11 deadlock. However, UC Davis seized the initiative, embarking on a 5-0 run in the final 1:40 of the first quarter, punctuated by a basket from Sabel, to secure a 16-11 lead. The Aggies showcased their dominance in the paint, accruing eight of their 16 points in this area.
UC Davis sustained their lead into the second quarter, igniting an 8-0 run at the 9:42 mark to bolster their lead to 24-11. Although the Tritons attempted a comeback, the Aggies maintained a 35-26 lead at the half, thanks in part to their proficiency from the three-point line, which accounted for nine of their 19 points in the quarter. Baker capped off the half with an impressive three-ball to beat the buzzer, giving her team some momentum going into the locker room.
The Aggies continued to fortify their lead after the break, launching a 6-0 run to extend their advantage to 45-33 with 2:57 remaining in the third quarter. By the end of the third, UC Davis had increased their lead to 50-34, with two three-pointers contributing to their 15-point tally for the quarter.
In the final stanza, the Aggies' resolve was unwavering as they preserved their lead and secured the win. Their quick transitions on the court were evident, tallying four fast-break points to conclude a night marked by strategic execution and dynamic play.
Game Notes
» Tova Sabel notched an impressive double-double for the Aggies with 28 points and 12 rebounds.
» UC Davis lit it up from beyond the arc, knocking down eight treys in the game.
» The Aggies held the Tritons to only 26.2 percent shooting from the field.
» The Aggies never trailed after taking a 16-11 first quarter lead.
» Tova Sabel, Sydney Burns, and Evanne Turner combined to account for 78 percent of the Aggies points.
» UC Davis had a 45-43 edge on the boards in the win.
» The UC Davis defense forced 13 turnovers.
» The Aggies were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording seven blocks as a team.
» UC Davis cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Tova Sabel led the Aggies with a game-high 28 points.
» UC Davis got a game-high 12 rebounds from Tova Sabel.
UP NEXT
The Ags will host Senior Day on Mar. 9 when Long Beach State makes its way to Davis. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. with the Senior Day ceremony slated to start at 12:45 p.m.
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