Clutch free throw shooting leads surging UC Davis to an important Big West men's basketball win over UC Santa Barbara
Marcus Wilson has 24 points as UCD remains tied for fourth
For college basketball teams, February is crunch time. A month when the contenders are separated from the pretenders.
UC Davis earned contender status Thursday night when the Aggies hit 15 straight free throws in the second half to take a crucial 85-75 Big West men’s basketball win from UC Santa Barbara in front of a spirited crowd of 1,811 at the University Credit Union Center.
“The crowd gave us a burst of energy and a jolt in the second half,” said an enthusiastic Marcus Wilson, who led the Aggie charge with 24 points, six rebounds and six assists while hitting seven straight free throws down the stretch.
“That crowd won the game for us.”
The win moves the Aggies to 7-5 in league play and 14-9 overall. UCSB is now 8-4 in conference and 15-8 overall.
Importantly, added to UCD’s 93-86 win over the Gauchos last month in Isla Vista, the Aggies now have a season sweep over UCSB and would win any tiebreaker between the two when it comes to seeding for next month’s conference tournament in Henderson, Nevada.