Score: UC Davis 71, Long Beach State 57
Location: Davis, Calif. (University Credit Union Center)
Records: UC Davis 14-8 (8-4), Long Beach State 11-10 (7-5)
  
The short story: 24 points from Nya Epps led the UC Davis women's basketball team to their eighth conference win over Long Beach State. This win was also number 251 for head coach Jennifer Gross, tying her for the most all-time wins in program history. (Sandy Simpson)
 
OPENING TIP 

• Epps's 24 points were encapsulated by three triples, tying her career-high. She also had four rebounds and four assists on the night.
• 15 points and 10 rebounds from Tova Sabel gave her double-double number four on the season, the sixth of her Aggie career.
• Victoria Baker rounded out the trio of double-digit scorers with 15 points off the bench and two three-pointers.
• The Aggies had one of their best free throw shooting games on the season, going 20-for-21 (95%) from the line with 15 makes coming in the fourth quarter.
• The defense was strong all throughout, holding the Beach to under 30% in both shooting from the field (26%) and from beyond the arc. (24%)
• The Aggies never trailed tonight.
• Career win number 251 for Jennifer Gross, tying the all-time wins record in the program's history.

WHAT HEAD COACH JENNIFER GROSS HAD TO SAY

"I thought a lot of different players stepped up today. Nya Epps really got us going from the start knocking down threes and getting to the basket. I thought today was a great team effort defensively."

 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Epps got the team going early with a three on their first possession. 
• Sabel and Epps combined for their team's first 13 points, and they led 13-6 with three minutes remaining in the first half.
• At the end of the quarter, four quick points from Baker gave the Aggies an 18-8 lead.
• In the second, the offense continued to roll with layups from Sabel and Megan Norris pushing the advantage to as much as 16.
• Despite the deficit, Long Beach State continued to fight, stringing together two separate 7-0 runs to get as close as eight.
• However, Epps continued to torch the Beach, closing out the first half with a solo 5-0 run to give the Ags a 38-25 lead.
• The third quarter began with much of the same, with both teams trading baskets in the period's first four minutes.
• But both defenses tightened up, with the only points in the period's final six minutes coming off of free throws from the Beach to put them within eight, 44-36.
• Layups from Norris and Epps opened the fourth for the Aggies.
• Coming back into the game to replace Epps, Baker continued to produce, cashing in on two quick threes to see the score reading 60-47 in favor of the home team with three minutes remaining.
• The Beach cashed in on a pair of threes of their own for one last push, but 15 made free throws in the quarter proved to be the difference as the Ags would get the 71-57 win.

 
UP NEXT: Coach Gross will have a chance to make history as the Aggies host the Cal State Fullerton Titans on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 2:00 p.m. PT. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ and KDVS 90.3.
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