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.

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