Score: UC Davis 68, CSUN 41
Location: Davis, Calif. (University Credit Union Center)
Records: UC Davis 10-4 (4-0), CSUN 3-10 (1-3)
  
The short story: A balanced scoring effort led the UC Davis women's basketball team to a 68-41 win over the CSUN Matadors on Saturday, Jan. 4. The Aggies have now won seven straight games and find themselves one of two teams still undefeated in Big West conference play (Long Beach State).
 
OPENING TIP 

• Nya Epps and Tova Sabel led the scoring with 10 apiece.
• Megan Norris had a productive day on both sides of the court with four points, three assists, 11 rebounds, and three blocks.
• Ally Fitzgerald had another great game in relief of Norris, dropping nine points to go along with eight rebounds.
• The Aggies stayed aggressive on missed shots, pulling down 10 offensive rebounds as a team.
• Nine different players played 10+ minutes tonight.

 
WHAT HEAD COACH JENNIFER GROSS HAD TO SAY

"Today we had really great moments where I thought we were locked in, but I also think there's a lot of areas for improvement. I think it was a good opportunity for a lot of players to get some game minutes this week and that's gonna be really important because we're gonna need depth as we play a 20-game conference season. We know going on the road you gotta create a different mentality so we're excited to do that this week."

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• After seeing the first two shots go the way of the Matadors, Davis responded with a pair of threes from Mazatlan Harris and Sydney Burns to hold a 10-6 lead at the first media timeout.
• Both squads' defense picked up in the final minutes of the quarter, with the only field goals coming from a triple by Avery Sussex for the Aggies and Jenna Kilty for CSUN.
• A pair of free throws from Norris gave the Aggies a 15-9 lead at the end of the first.
• The Davis offense began to pick up in the second, with a couple of threes from Sabel along with layups from Epps, Burns, and Bria Shine giving the team a 28-13 advantage five minutes into the frame.
• Defense became the name of the game once again, with the only points the rest of the period coming from a three by Ryann Bennett and another Norris layup, giving their team a 33-17 lead going into the locker room.
• Another three by Epps opened the second half.
• Despite the deficit, the Matadors continued to fight, looking to push momentum with threes by Kilty and Nnenna Orji.
• However, a myriad of shots from Ally Fitzgerald, Clara Glad, and Sussex closed an 8-3 run and 56-28 lead to take both teams to the final quarter of action.
• In the fourth, the Matador offense began to pick up, cashing in threes on back-to-back possessions.
• But the Aggies' second unit continued to stay productive, with Bennett and Fitzgerald leading the way.
• Despite being outscored in the period, Davis cruised to a comfortable 68-41 win.

 
UP NEXT: The Aggies will travel for their next two games, starting with a matchup against Cal State Fullerton down south on Thursday, Jan. 9. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT.
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