Aggie men pull away down the stretch to stop UC Santa Barbara, 71-60
UCD shares Big West men's basketball lead with 2-0 mark after impressive win
"It's a great day to be an Aggie," was an expression heard frequently in post-game revelry after UC Davis came on strong down the stretch to defeat UC Santa Barbara, 71-60, in a Big West men's basketball battle Saturday night at the University Credit Union Center.
Aggie coach Jim Les uttered the phrase several times himself, referring not only to his team's win, but the UCD women's basketball win at UC Santa Barbara and the football team's playoff victory over Illinois State.
There were certainly few in the crowd of 2,891 - the largest of the season - who would dispute that sentiment as the Aggies led for all but 19 seconds of the game to push their Big West mark to 2-0 and overall record to 5-4.
UCSB is now 0-2 in conference and 6-3 overall.
Niko Rocak got the crowd into things early with a long-range bomb, his first of the year, then TY Johnson hit from short range and Leo DeBruhl hit a trey and the Aggies were up 8-0 before the Gauchos realized the game had started.
UCSB gradually worked its way back into things, tying the game, 18-18, and forcing a 28-28 deadlock at the half.
Santa Barbara took its only lead of the game at 41-40 on a basket by Ariel Bland, but 19 seconds later Johnson's layup gave the lead back to UCD.
The Aggies never trailed after that, but there were a few anxious moments before UCD hit nine free throws down the stretch to put things away, enjoying their biggest lead at the final buzzer.
"It was a great crowd and a great environment," enthused Les.
"We gutted one out. Our guys reached down deep and they did something to behold. I think eventually our defense kept them off balance and wore them down."
Rocak, frequently finding himself alone at the top of the circle, hit both of his 3-point attempts, much to Les' delight.
"We always encourage him to take those, because if he can hit a few of them, it opens up the floor for everyone else," Les noted.
Rocak finished with 11 points and led everyone on the floor with 10 rebounds, along with four assists and three blocks.
Johnson led all scorers with 23 points, while DeBruhl and Connor Sevilla had 11 points each.
The Aggies return to non-conference action next Saturday in a 7 p.m. game at Sacramento State, then come home against Idaho Dec. 18 at 6 p.m.
Reach Bob Dunning at bobdunning@thewaryone.com