Score: UC Davis 77, Sacramento State 73
Location: Davis, Calif. (University Credit Union Center)
Records: UC Davis 3-1, Sacramento State 2-2
THE SHORT STORY: UC Davis claimed the 123rd Causeway Classic with a 77-73 win over Sacramento State on Friday night at the University Credit Union Center, powered by a late jumper from Marcus Wilson and a defensive stand on the final possession. The Aggies outscored the Hornets 43-37 in the second half to take control, while Connor Sevilla led the way with 20 points and Niko Rocak anchored the interior with four blocks and eight rebounds.
COURT SIDE
- UC Davis used a balanced attack, including four Aggies in double figures to fuel the offensive efforts.
- Connor Sevilla scored a team-high 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting and 4-for-8 from three.
- The 20-point output for Sevilla gives him four straight double-figure scoring games to begin the season and his second straight 20-point showing in front of the home crowd at University Credit Union Center.
- Nils Cooper added 14 points, went 5-for-6 from the line, and recorded three steals.
- Marcus Wilson posted 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists, highlighted by the late jumper that served as the dagger.
- Niko Rocak showed off his versatility all night, finishing with seven points, eight rebounds, four blocks, five assists, and two steals.
- Omer Suljanovic continues to be a steady contributor, as the first-year from Vienna poured in 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting, highlighted by a monster poster dunk in the first half.
- UC Davis forced 14 turnovers, totaled 10 steals and five blocks, and scored 36 points in the paint.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Sacramento State got the scoring started with the first points of the game, but UC Davis jumped ahead with an early 7-0 run capped by a Sevilla three for a 7-2 lead before the Hornets responded with a run of their own.
- Sacramento State pushed the advantage to 21-14, but UC Davis answered with production from Chappell, Cooper, and Suljanovic to stay within reach.
- Suljanovic's layup at 1:20 briefly gave UC Davis a 32-30 edge before Summers hit a three in the closing seconds for a 36-34 Sacramento State halftime lead.
- Sacramento State stretched the margin to 48-40 early in the second half, but a Sevilla three at 15:14 jump-started the Aggies' push.
- UC Davis chipped away behind Suljanovic's finishing and another Sevilla triple, and the teams traded baskets entering the final minutes.
- Consecutive stops and turnovers forced by UC Davis shifted momentum, leading to key scores from Rocak, Sevilla, and Cooper.
- With a two-point lead, Wilson knocked down a critical jumper with less than 10 seconds remaining, delivering the final blow of the night.
- UC Davis then delivered a final stop on Sacramento State's last possession to secure the 77-73 victory.
UP NEXT
UC Davis will face Nevada on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada.
