Score: UC Davis 49, UC Irvine 52
Location: Davis, Calif. (University Credit Union Center)
Records: UC Davis 13-8 (7-4), UC Irvine 15-6 (9-2)
  
The short story: Megan Norris led her team with 16 points, but it wasn't enough as the UC Davis women's basketball team came up short against the UC Irvine Anteaters on Saturday, Feb. 1.
 
OPENING TIP 

• In addition to her 16 points, Norris also led the Aggies with nine rebounds, coming one rebound short of her second straight double-double.
• Mazatlan Harris was also productive on both ends of the court, putting up eight points and pulling down eight rebounds.
• Three blocks from Tova Sabel led her team, also scoring six points on the afternoon.
• The Aggies were effective on the free throw line, going 13-for-15 (87%) from the stripe, including not missing a single free throw in the first half.

WHAT HEAD COACH JENNIFER GROSS HAD TO SAY

"We weren't very disciplined in our offense, we've got to get back to being more disciplined and effective. We were stuck in the middle of transition and half-court offense early, so I thought once we started executing our half-court offense we started getting better looks."

 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• The Aggies opened the first quarter strong, using a three from Sydney Burns to open up an early 9-4 lead. 
• Back-to-back triples from Burns and Nya Epps extended the lead to nine, but Irvine would score the period's last four points to give Davis a 17-12 lead at the end of the quarter.
• A three from the Anteaters put them within two at the start of the second.
• But the Aggies continued to stack triples of their own, using baskets from Norris and Avery Sussex to hold a five-point lead.
• A 6-0 run from Irvine capped off the half, giving them their first lead of the afternoon, 30-29.
• The Anteaters continued to build on their lead to open the third, cashing in on six straight before a three from Bria Shine put the Aggies back within four, 32-36.
• As both defenses tightened up, Davis slowly cut into their deficit before Norris's free throws tied the contest at 36 apiece.
• A few plays later, a three from Irvine gave them the lead again to end the third.
• In the fourth, a layup from Norris and a three from the road team saw the score in favor of the Anteaters 44-40.
• But both defenses locked down once again, with neither team scoring in the next five minutes of action.
• With 17 seconds remaining, down by five, Harris drove to the basket for a three-point play to bring her team back within two.
• As Irvine went to the line for free throws, a missed shot gave Davis a chance to tie things up.
• But it proved to be too late, as the Aggies would come up short 49-52.

 
UP NEXT: UC Davis will stay at home as they play host for a rematch against the Beach of LBSU on Thursday, Feb. 6. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m. PT and will be live for fans to watch on ESPN+.
  Read Full Article