Score: UC Davis 80, Cal State Bakersfield 72
Location: Icardo Center, Bakersfield, Calif.
Records: UC Davis 13-9, 6-5 Big West | Cal State Bakersfield 8-15, 2-9 Big West

THE SHORT STORY: Behind a 27-point performance from Connor Sevilla, UC Davis secured a hard-fought 80-72 road victory over Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday night. In a contest that featured 10 lead changes, the Aggies pulled away in the final minutes, getting neccessary stops paired with clutch free-throw shooting to earn the conference win at the Icardo Center.

COURT SIDE

• Connor Sevilla erupted for 27 points, knocking down 4-of-7 from three-point range and going a perfect 9-of-9 from the free-throw line.
• Carl Daughtery Jr. making the start today, provided strong offensive support with 15 points and 4 rebounds.
• Jalen Stokes making his first career start, was a force inside and out, tallying 13 points while pulling down 5 rebounds.
• Marcus Wilson anchored the defensive effort with a career-high 5 steals while orchestrating the offense with 5 assists.
• Niko Rocak contributed on the glass, matching Stokes with 5 rebounds.
• The Aggies' defense was disruptive, forcing 15 turnovers which they converted into 17 points.
• UC Davis was efficient from the charity stripe, particularly in the second half where they connected on 17-of-22 attempts to seal the game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first half was a physical, back-and-forth affair. UC Davis established an early rhythm through the perimeter shooting of Sevilla and Daughtery Jr., but the Roadrunners stayed close by attacking the paint.
• The Aggies' defense was opportunistic, forcing 10 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes to disrupt the hosts' flow with UC Davis carrying a 36-35 lead into the intermission.
• The second half saw both teams trade baskets throughout. Cal State Bakersfield managed to grab the momentum midway through the period, taking a 62-61 lead with just over five minutes remaining. The Aggies responded immediately with compsure, sparked by an Isaiah Chappell three-pointer, and an and-one from Cooper, to go on a 6-0 run to reclaim the lead at 67-62.
• From that point on, the Aggies controlled the tempo. They clamped down defensively, holding the Roadrunners at bay, and converted their opportunities at the free-throw line. UC Davis outscored Bakersfield 44-37 in the second half to pull away for the eight-point victory.

UP NEXT
UC Davis returns to the University Credit Union Center to host UC Santa Barbara on Thursday, Feb. 5. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.