Score: UC Davis 77, Sacramento State 73

Location: Davis, Calif. (University Credit Union Center)

Records: UC Davis 3-1, Sacramento State 2-2

THE SHORT STORY: UC Davis claimed the 123rd Causeway Classic with a 77-73 win over Sacramento State on Friday night at the University Credit Union Center, powered by a late jumper from Marcus Wilson and a defensive stand on the final possession. The Aggies outscored the Hornets 43-37 in the second half to take control, while Connor Sevilla led the way with 20 points and Niko Rocak anchored the interior with four blocks and eight rebounds.

COURT SIDE


UC Davis used a balanced attack, including four Aggies in double figures to fuel the offensive efforts.
Connor Sevilla scored a team-high 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting and 4-for-8 from three.
The 20-point output for Sevilla gives him four straight double-figure scoring games to begin the season and his second straight 20-point showing in front of the home crowd at University Credit Union Center.
Nils Cooper added 14 points, went 5-for-6 from the line, and recorded three steals.
Marcus Wilson posted 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists, highlighted by the late jumper that served as the dagger.
Niko Rocak showed off his versatility all night, finishing with seven points, eight rebounds, four blocks, five assists, and two steals.
Omer Suljanovic continues to be a steady contributor, as the first-year from Vienna poured in 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting, highlighted by a monster poster dunk in the first half.
UC Davis forced 14 turnovers, totaled 10 steals and five blocks, and scored 36 points in the paint.


HOW IT HAPPENED


Sacramento State got the scoring started with the first points of the game, but UC Davis jumped ahead with an early 7-0 run capped by a Sevilla three for a 7-2 lead before the Hornets responded with a run of their own.
Sacramento State pushed the advantage to 21-14, but UC Davis answered with production from Chappell, Cooper, and Suljanovic to stay within reach.
Suljanovic’s layup at 1:20 briefly gave UC Davis a 32-30 edge before Summers hit a three in the closing seconds for a 36-34 Sacramento State halftime lead.
Sacramento State stretched the margin to 48-40 early in the second half, but a Sevilla three at 15:14 jump-started the Aggies’ push.
UC Davis chipped away behind Suljanovic’s finishing and another Sevilla triple, and the teams traded baskets entering the final minutes.
Consecutive stops and turnovers forced by UC Davis shifted momentum, leading to key scores from Rocak, Sevilla, and Cooper.
With a two-point lead, Wilson knocked down a critical jumper with less than 10 seconds remaining, delivering the final blow of the night.
UC Davis then delivered a final stop on Sacramento State’s last possession to secure the 77-73 victory.

UP NEXT
UC Davis will face Nevada on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada.
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