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.

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