RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — UC Davis held off UC Riverside for a 78-73 men’s basketball victory Saturday at UCR Rec Center. The Aggies swept the season series between the Big West Conference foes. Andrew Henderson led all scorers with 22 points for the Highlanders, but UC Davis countered with 22 points from Connor Sevilla and 16 points from Jalen Stokes. The Aggies improved to 17-11 overall and 9-6 in conference play. UC Riverside dropped to 9-20. The game was close throughout, with UC Davis maintaining a narrow lead for much of the second half. A key late stop secured the road win for the Aggies, who were pregame favorites. The combined score of 151 points fell below the sportsbook over/under line.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — In a game defined by physicality and trips to the free throw line, the UC Davis Aggies weathered a late surge from UC Riverside to secure a 78-73 road victory in a Big West Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at the UCR Rec Center. The Aggies, who led for nearly the entire contest, saw a once-comfortable double-digit lead in the second half dwindle to a single possession in the final minute before closing the game out at the charity stripe. The win improved UC Davis to 17-11 overall, while the Highlanders fell to 9-20. The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final 38 seconds. With UC Davis clinging to a 70-68 lead after a Ben Waller tip-in, the Aggies’ Connor Sevilla was fouled and sent to the line. The guard calmly sank both free throws to push the lead back to four. After a missed three-pointer by Riverside’s De’Undrae Perteete, the Highlanders were forced to foul again. Sevilla returned to the line with two seconds remaining and again made both attempts, effectively sealing the outcome before Waller hit a meaningless three-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin. UC Davis built its victory on efficiency from the free throw line and an advantage in the paint, overcoming a poor shooting night from beyond the arc. The Aggies attempted 39 free throws, making 30, compared to Riverside’s 24-of-32 performance. UC Davis also outscored Riverside 32-22 in the paint and capitalized on 15 Highlander turnovers for 18 points. Connor Sevilla led all scorers with 22 points for UC Davis, playing a game-high 36 minutes. Jalen Stokes added 16 points and seven rebounds, while Brayden Fagbemi contributed 10 points, six rebounds and four assists. The Aggies shot just 41.5% from the field and 21.1% from three-point range but their volume and success at the line proved decisive. UC Riverside was led by Andrew Henderson’s 22 points, four rebounds and four assists. Marqui Worthy scored 12 points, and both De’Undrae Perteete and Dylan Godfrey added 10 points each. The Highlanders were more effective from three-point range, hitting seven shots, and won the fastbreak battle 17-7, but were ultimately undone by their turnovers and the Aggies’ persistent attack inside. The game’s tempo was set early by frequent whistles, with both teams in the bonus before the first media timeout. UC Davis established an early edge and maintained it throughout a choppy first half, taking a 34-31 lead into the break despite shooting 1-for-10 from three-point range. In the second half, the Aggies stretched their lead to as many as 12 points, but Riverside chipped away behind Henderson’s scoring. A 7-0 Highlander run, capped by an Osiris Grady layup with 6:37 to play, cut the deficit to 56-54 and set the stage for the tense finish. UC Davis responded with key baskets from Omer Suljanovic and Connor Sevilla to rebuild a cushion, which they protected at the line down the stretch. The game was a reversal of fortune from their previous meeting on Jan. 24, which UC Davis won 74-66 at home. The Aggies now look ahead to a home game against Hawaii on Thursday. UC Riverside will travel to face UC Santa Barbara on the same night.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — A surging UC Davis squad looks to continue its push in the Big West Conference standings when it visits struggling UC Riverside on Saturday. The Aggies (16-10, 8-5 Big West) have won four of their last five games, including a 71-54 rout of Long Beach State last Saturday. The Highlanders (8-19, 3-10), meanwhile, have lost six of their last seven contests and are near the bottom of the conference. UC Davis won the first meeting this season, 74-66 at home on Jan. 24. In that game, the Aggies limited Riverside’s Andrew Henderson to 16 points on 5-of-14 shooting. Henderson, however, has been a bright spot during the Highlanders’ skid, averaging 21.7 points over his last three games. He erupted for a season-high 39 points in a loss to Cal Poly on Jan. 31. The Aggies are led by guard Marcus Wilson, who is averaging 18.3 points and 5.3 assists over his last four outings. He scored 18 points with six assists in the win over Long Beach State. Forward Niko Rocak added nine points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in that victory, providing a key interior presence. Riverside’s recent losses have been characterized by defensive struggles, allowing an average of 81.2 points during their 1-6 stretch. UC Davis has scored 80 or more points in three of its last five wins. The Highlanders will need a strong performance from Henderson and support from guards BJ Kolly and Marqui Worthy, who combined for 30 points in the loss at UC San Diego last weekend, to challenge the balanced Aggies. Saturday’s game at the UCR Rec Center tips off at 7 p.m. PST. Following this contest, UC Davis hosts Hawaii on Feb. 26, while UC Riverside travels to UC Santa Barbara on the same date.