UC Davis secured a crucial 80-72 win over Cal State Bakersfield at the Icardo Center, with Connor Sevilla's impressive 27-point performance stealing the show. The Aggies' victory was fueled by Sevilla's sharp shooting, as he helped his team overcome a strong effort from Cal State Bakersfield's Mike Price, who scored 24 points.
The game got off to a tightly contested start, with UC Davis holding a narrow 36-35 lead at halftime. However, the Aggies came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Roadrunners 44-37 to seal the win. Cal State Bakersfield's Dailin Smith contributed 19 points, while AJ George added 8 points and 6 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Aggies' balanced attack.
Carl Daughtery Jr. and Jalen Stokes provided key support for UC Davis, scoring 15 and 13 points, respectively, as the Aggies improved their record to 13-9. The win was also significant in that it validated the pre-game prediction from CHD Scout, which had UC Davis winning by 5.8 points. In the end, the Aggies exceeded that margin, winning by 8 points.
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The victory marks a solid addition to UC Davis' resume, particularly given that it came on the road against a Cal State Bakersfield team that, while struggling, still posed a challenge. This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for both teams, meaning it presented a potential trap for UC Davis. However, the Aggies avoided the pitfall, demonstrating their ability to navigate non-conference matchups against lower-ranked opponents.
For Cal State Bakersfield, the loss drops their record to 8-15, and while the Roadrunners' performance was admirable, they ultimately fell short. Mike Price's 24-point effort was a highlight, but the team's inability to contain Sevilla and the Aggies' supporting cast proved costly.
As the season progresses, UC Davis want to build on this win, using it as a springboard to bolster their tournament chances. With a current net ranking of 182, the Aggies are still very much in the mix, and victories like this one matters in shaping their postseason resume. The fact that they were able to take care of business on the road, even if it was against a lower-ranked opponent, speaks to their growth and maturity as a team. As the calendar flips to February, UC Davis will aim to keep this momentum going, with their sights set on a strong finish to the regular season.