Aggie women run away to 115-29 win over Cal Maritime
Eight from UCD score in double figures in non-conference basketball rout
In a game that was strictly no contest from the get-go, UC Davis never trailed in overwhelming Cal Maritime, 115-29, in a non-conference women's basketball game Saturday afternoon at the University Credit Union Center.
The game provided the final tune-up for the Aggies before they plunge headlong into their Big West Conference schedule at home Jan. 2 (6 p.m.) against Cal State Bakersfield.
UCD is already 2-0 in conference play after road wins at Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara in a rare early December start.
The score was tied once at 3-3, then Tova Sabel pulled down an offensive rebound before scoring from close range and the rout was on.
Megan Norris and Victoria Baker had six points each in a first quarter that ended with the Aggies up, 33-7, while shooting 68.4 percent from the field, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range.
From the time they led 25-7 late in the first quarter, the Aggies went on a remarkable 32-0 run to take a 57-7 lead early in the third quarter, holding their visitors scoreless over parts of three quarters.
UCD outscored the Keelhaulers, 20-0, in the second period, the first time in school history they have held an opponent scoreless for an entire quarter.
Aggie coach Jennifer Gross substituted liberally throughout the contest to give considerable game experience up and down the roster as all 12 players scored.
A whopping eight Aggies hit double figures as the team finished with 63.5 percent accuracy from the field and 56.7 percent from long range. They even hit all four free throw attempts in a game that had only 11 fouls called between both teams combined, six on the Aggies and five on their visitors.
Cal Maritime was held to 20.7 percent from the field, 13.9 percent on treys and didn't attempt a free throw.
The Aggies will take an 8-4 overall record into conference play, while Cal Maritime is now 2-9.
“We had a little longer layoff after the holidays this year, so coming back we were just really focused on bringing a ton of energy to the court," noted Gross.
"It was really good to see our shots dropping, so hopefully we can carry that into next week.”
Norris led the Aggies with 15 points, while Baker had 14, and Sabel, Ally Fitzgerald and Clara Glad had 13 each. Avery Sussex and Ryann Bennett had 11 each and Sahana Kanagasabay had 10.
Very wise to substitute players from the bench. Real game experience is crucial.