In a shocking turn of events, UC Davis pulled off a stunning 85-75 upset over UC Santa Barbara at the University Credit Union Center. The Aggies, led by Marcus Wilson's impressive all-around performance, handed the Gauchos a decisive 10-point loss, defying the pre-game prediction that had UC Santa Barbara favored by 1.6 points. CHD Scout's forecast of a narrow 76-77 UC Santa Barbara win was far off the mark, as UC Davis dominated the contest from start to finish.
The first half set the tone for the game, with UC Davis taking a 40-32 lead into the break. The Aggies' balanced attack, which saw three players score in double figures, proved too much for UC Santa Barbara to handle. Wilson, in particular, was unstoppable, scoring 24 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists to pace the Aggies. Isaiah Chappell and Carl Daughtery Jr. chipped in with 11 points each, providing valuable support to Wilson's standout effort.
On the other side, CJ Shaw led UC Santa Barbara with 18 points, while Colin Smith and Aidan Mahaney added 16 and 15 points, respectively. However, the Gauchos' offense was unable to keep up with UC Davis' high-powered attack, which shot an impressive 45% from the field. Despite a late surge, UC Santa Barbara was unable to overcome the deficit, ultimately falling by 10 points.
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The upset victory has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For UC Davis, the win marks a crucial Q3 victory, which will undoubtedly boost their resume. Meanwhile, UC Santa Barbara suffers a Q3 loss, which may hinder their chances of securing a favorable seed in the tournament. The Gauchos' net ranking of 125 will likely take a hit, while UC Davis' ranking of 181 will receive a much-needed boost.
The loss is a disappointing one for UC Santa Barbara, which had been riding a wave of momentum heading into the game. The Gauchos' inability to contain Wilson and the Aggies' supporting cast was their downfall. As for UC Davis, the win is a massive confidence booster, and the Aggies want to build on this momentum as they continue their season.
In terms of resume implications, this result is a significant one for both teams. UC Davis' Q3 win over a ranked opponent like UC Santa Barbara will undoubtedly strengthen their tournament profile. Conversely, UC Santa Barbara's Q3 loss will raise questions about their ability to compete against quality opponents. As the season enters its final stretch, both teams want to capitalize on this result and make a push for the tournament. For UC Davis, the upset win over UC Santa Barbara is a major step in the right direction, and the Aggies want to ride this momentum into the postseason.