Aggies Stun GCU; Snap Lopes 18-Game Home Winning Streak

This story was initially published by UC Davis Athletics

Score:  UC Davis 75, Grand Canyon 68
Location: Phoenix, Ariz.
Records:  UC Davis 3-2 (0-0), Grand Canyon 2-2 (0-0)

The short story: UC Davis Basketball was on full display in Phoenix, as UC Davis entered a hostile Global Credit Union Arena and defeated Grand Canyon 75-68, snapping the Lopes’ 18-game home winning streak, which was the seventh longest streak of such in the country.

AGGIE BASKETBALL IN PHOENIX 🐴🔥🔥

📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/cVsKCrbGV9

— UC Davis Men’s Basketball (@ucdavismbb) November 21, 2024

UC Davis basketball vs. GCU recap

COURT SIDE

• Four Aggies scored in double figures, led by TY Johnson, who had 21 points and four steals
• Johnson the NCAA’s leading scorer, extended his 20+ point game streak, having now scored 20 or more points in all five of the Aggies games to begin the season
• The Aggie defense was a difference-maker all night, holding Grand Canyon to just 16 percent from deep in a 4-for-25 shooting performance and just 37.3 percent shooting from the field
• Leo DeBruhl added 16 points and two steals, while Pablo Tamba contributed 15 points
• Tamba’s energy all night saw him contribute across the box score, adding nine rebounds, two steals, and two blocks
• Led by Niko Rocak’s four offensive rebounds, UC Davis excelled at crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 10 boards that resulted in 11 second-chance points
• UC Davis also got a game-high 13 rebounds from Rocak
• After leading the conference in turnovers forced a season ago, UC Davis’ defense caused the Lopes issues all night, forcing 18 Grand Canyon turnovers and converting those takeaways into 22 points on the offensive end, with Johnson’s four steals leading the way
• The Aggies shot well from three-point range, making seven of 15 long-range attempts, with Connor Sevilla and DeBruhl responsible for all seven makes
• Maintaining control from tip-off, UC Davis never trailed in the second half on its way to victory

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Aggies got off to a blistering start with three players in double figures after the first 20 minutes
• After jumping out to a 37-33 advantage, UC Davis went on a 9-0 run with 2:42 left in the first half to increase its lead to 46-33
• The Lopes responded with a bucket in the final minute, but still entered halftime trailing 46-35
• UC Davis capitalized on 10 Grand Canyon turnovers in the period, converting them into 13 points
• UC Davis maintained its lead before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by a Sevilla three-pointer, to extend the lead to 64-49 with 7:39 remaining
• The Antelopes narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Aggies were able to silence the rowdy Lope fans and secure a 75-68 win
• UC Davis capitalized on eight Grand Canyon turnovers in the period, collecting nine points off those turnovers to help snap the seventh-longest home winning streak in the country
• WHAT HEAD COACH JIM LES HAD TO SAY
  “If we can play like that and win here on the road, we can win anywhere … I thought the team was so connected, even in times of adversity, and we stayed composed. When we absolutely needed to have a play, on either end of the floor, we came up with it.”Niko was a monster; he affected so many plays at the rim. Pablo with the big block at the end. Connor with the minutes off the bench. I thought Nils was awesome defensively; he allowed us to switch a lot of things and sit down and guard.”Just so proud of these guys. Totally a team win … That is Aggie Basketball at its best.”

  UP NEXT: UC Davis will return home next week, hosting Norfolk State on Monday, November 25 at 6 p.m. PT inside the University Credit Union Center.

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