Aggies overcome sluggish start to take Causeway Showdown from Sacramento State
Pablo Tamba takes charge with 18 points as UC Davis wins third straight, 69-62
SACRAMENTO ... UC Davis continued its winning ways in the month of December, overcoming a slow start to take a 69-62 non-conference men's basketball win over Sacramento State in the 122nd Causeway Showdown Saturday night at The Nest on the CSUS campus.
The win, UCD's third straight, moves the Aggies to 6-4 on the season, while Sacramento State is now 2-8.
This one did not come easily, however.
The Hornets, who compete in the Big Sky in basketball, raced out to a 12-1 lead, much to the pleasure of the crowd of 901.
The Aggies responded with an 11-0 run, then finally pulled even at 25 on a 3-point bomb from Connor Sevilla.
UCD scored the final five points of the half to take a 35-32 lead into intermission.
Picking up where they left off, the Aggies scored the first seven points of the second half behind a 3-pointer from Leo DeBruhl and two buckets - one a slam - by Pablo Tamba and never looked back.
Sevilla later had a personal 5-0 run to push the lead to 60-48 and Sac State never seriously threatened after that.
Tamba continued to shine in the early season with 18 points, six rebounds and three steals, while TY Johnson and DeBruhl each had 14 points.
Niko Rocak had a game-high nine rebounds and added five points. Sevilla finished with eight points.
The Aggies come home Wednesday at 6 p.m. for a non-conference game with Idaho, a team they defeated, 79-75, last month in Moscow.
UCD opened Big West play with convincing wins over Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara last weekend, but will play three straight non-conference games before resuming league action Jan. 2 at Cal State Bakersfield.
After Idaho, the Aggies will be at Pepperdine Dec. 21, then home against Cal Maritime Dec. 28 at 4 p.m.
Reach Bob Dunning at bobdunning@thewaryone.com
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