Score: UC Davis 80, North Dakota State 68
Location: Davis, Calif. (University Credit Union Center)
Records: UC Davis 2-0 (0-0), North Dakota State 0-2 (0-0)
THE SHORT STORY: UC Davis erupted for 54 second-half points to pull away from North Dakota State, 80-68, on Wednesday night at the University Credit Union Center. Connor Sevilla scored a career-high 26 points, and Niko Rocak tied his own program single-game record with six blocks as the Aggies improved to 2-0. UC Davis' defense kept the Bison in check throughout, holding them to 36.6 percent shooting from the field and just 11.1 percent from three-point range while forcing tough shots and controlling the tempo down the stretch.
COURT SIDE
- Connor Sevilla led all scorers with 26 points on 8-for-10 shooting and 6-for-7 from three. The 26 point night surpassed his past career-high mark of 18 points which he recorded last year against Cal State Fullerton.
- Nils Cooper added 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting with two steals.
- Omer Suljanovic contributed his second straight double figure scoring output with 10 points, five rebounds and two steals.
- Niko Rocak anchored the defense with six blocks to go along with nine points and four rebounds.
- Marcus Wilson posted eight points and a team-high six assists as UC Davis recorded 15 assists overall.
- UC Davis shot 50 percent from three (8-of-16) and 56.6 percent from the field.
- The Aggies outscored NDSU 54-42 in the second half.
- Defensively, UC Davis held NDSU to 36.6 percent shooting and just 3-for-27 from beyond the arc.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- North Dakota State jumped ahead early, building a 24-18 lead with 2:43 left.
- UC Davis closed strong on a 6-0 run, capped by a Cooper layup, to tie the game at 24.
- Both teams traded baskets throughout the first 20 minutes before Wilson knocked down two free throws to end the half even at 26-26.
- NDSU briefly went up 28-26 before UC Davis took control with a 10-0 run sparked by Sevilla's three, making it 36-28.
- After NDSU cut the margin to three, UC Davis responded with a 9-2 surge highlighted by another Sevilla three and a Suljanovic triple to stretch the advantage to 63-50.
- Key defensive stops down the stretch preserved the Aggies' momentum as they continued to pull away.
- Late free throws in addition to the stops in closing time would allow the Aggies to seal an 80-68 win and a 2-0 start to the season.
UP NEXT
UC Davis heads north for its first road test of the season, facing Portland on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. inside the Chiles Center.
