Score: Cal State Bakersfield 81, UC Davis 79
Location: University Credit Union Center, Davis, Calif.
Records: UC Davis 8-6, 1-2 Big West | Cal State Bakersfield 7-9, 1-3 Big West
THE SHORT STORY: Despite a balanced offensive attack that saw all five starters score in double figures, UC Davis fell 81-79 to Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday afternoon at the University Credit Union Center. The Aggies erased a second-half deficit to tie the game in the final minute, but a layup by the Roadrunners' Jaden Alexander with five seconds remaining proved to be the difference.
COURT SIDE
- All five UC Davis starters reached double digits, led by Isaiah Chappell's 15 points.
- Nils Cooper posted 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds.
- Connor Sevilla added 12 points, going 3-4 from three-point range.
- Marcus Wilson and Niko Rocak both finished with 11 points, rounding out the starting five's production.
- The Aggies recorded 17 assists on 21 made field goals.
- UC Davis outrebounded Cal State Bakersfield, 35-34.
- After making a season-high 15 last time out against CSUN, the Aggies followed up with a 10-of-25 showing from three-point range against the Roadrunners.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first half was tight throughout, and after falling behind 30-28, UC Davis used a 6-0 run—capped by a Niko Rocak three-pointer—to briefly take a 34-30 lead.
- However, the Roadrunners responded late to take a narrow 40-39 edge into halftime.
- Cal State Bakersfield extended their advantage early in the second half, but the Aggies fought back with a 9-0 run to seize a 48-42 lead with 17:13 remaining
- Despite trailing the Roadrunners 77-69 with 1:39 remaining in a back-and-forth contest, the Aggies clawed back to tie the game at 79-79 on two clutch Nils Cooper free throws with 27 seconds left.
- On the final possession, Alexander drove for the game-winning layup with five seconds remaining, while on the other end, a last-second Aggie three-pointer just missed the mark.
UP NEXT
UC Davis hits the road to face UC Santa Barbara on Thursday, Jan. 8. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. in Santa Barbara, Calif.
