\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Score: UC Davis 76, Long Beach State 70 (OT)
\nLocation: LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid (Long Beach, Calif.)
\nRecords: UC Davis (18-12, 11-8 Big West)<\/p>\n
THE SHORT STORY: UC Davis secured a vital conference road victory to bolster their Big West tournament positioning, outlasting Long Beach State 76-70 in overtime on Thursday night. Marcus Wilson<\/a> led all scorers with a game-high 30 points, while Niko Rocak<\/a> anchored the interior with nine points, a game-high 13 rebounds, and four blocks. The Aggies forced the extra period with heavy second-half ball pressure and sealed the hard-fought win at the charity stripe.<\/p>\n MARCUS AND-ONE \ud83d\ude24 pic.twitter.com\/p0J2ylFNK2<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 UC Davis Men’s Basketball (@ucdavismbb) March 6, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n COURT SIDE<\/p>\n
Read Full Article
\n\tMarcus Wilson<\/a> carried the offensive load, pouring in a game-high 30 points. Wilson was relentless attacking the rim, finishing the night 8-18 from the floor, while\u00a0converting 13 of his 18 free-throw attempts. He also added\u00a0five rebounds.
\n\tNiko Rocak<\/a> was an absolute force in the paint, scoring nine points, pulling down a game-high 13 rebounds, and swatting four shots. This marked his seventh game this season with three or more blocks. He now has 150 career blocks, trailing the all-time program record by just four.
\n\tBrayden Fagbemi<\/a> and Omer Suljanovic<\/a> provided essential supplementary scoring, each tallying 11 points. Fagbemi dished out four assists, while Suljanovic hauled in six rebounds.
\n\tCarl Daughtery Jr.<\/a> added five points, six rebounds, and two steals to round out the starting lineup’s production.
\n\tAs a team, the Aggies made a concerted effort to take advantage of extra possessions, scoring 21 points off turnovers on the night.
\n\tUC Davis also made its living at the charity stripe tonight, converting 24 of 32 free-throw attempts (.750) to aid the victory.
<\/p>\n
\nHOW IT HAPPENED<\/p>\n
\n\tUC Davis initiated the scoring with a downhill drive and layup from Wilson, establishing an early 5-2 advantage three minutes in after a Daughtery Jr. 3-pointer.
\n\tLong Beach State responded by, taking a 12-11 lead and eventually using transition opportunities to take a 34-31 advantage into the locker room. The Aggies got a much needed bucket to end the half from Chase Rawlins<\/a> who got a layup to count on a goaltending call.
\n\tThe Beach opened the second frame with a 3-pointer from Shaquil Bender, extending their margin.
\n\tWilson continued however to manufacture offense by drawing contact to chip away at the lead, and Isaiah Chappell<\/a> followed with a timely triple at the 11:37 mark to pull UC Davis within a single possession.
\n\tThe Aggies deployed an aggressive defensive front to outscore Long Beach State 31-28 in the second half, turning defense into offense with 14 points off turnovers.
\n\tA three-point play through contact by Wilson gave UC Davis a brief 56-53 lead at the 7:04 mark before defensive stops on both ends deadlocked the game at 62-62 to conclude regulation.
\n\tIn overtime, Rocak\u00a0came through with a strong and-one finish at 4:05 to push UC Davis ahead for a 65-64 lead. Brayden Fagbemi<\/a> then extended the advantage to two possessions with a dagger 3-pointer off the glass at 3:11.
\n\tWilson converted a layup with 26 seconds remaining to push the Aggies’ lead to five, and Fagbemi iced the contest at the free-throw line in the closing seconds to secure the 76-70 win.
<\/p>\n
\nUP NEXT
\nUC Davis travels to Irvine, Calif. to close the regular season against UC Irvine. The Aggies and Anteaters will tip off on Saturday, March 7 at 5 p.m. on ESPNU.<\/p>\n
\n