Megan Norris' double-double leads Aggie comeback over Idaho
UC Davis women overcome 14-point third-quarter deficit for 65-58 win
MOSCOW, Idaho ... UC Davis roared back from a 14-point third-quarter deficit to stun Idaho, 65-58, in a non-conference women's basketball game Wednesday afternoon before a crowd of 2,024 at the ICCU Arena.
The win, UCD's sixth in the last seven games, gives the Aggies a 7-4 mark on the season and snaps a seven-game win streak for the Vandals, now 7-3.
The Aggies, coming off a stunning upset of the Big 12's Arizona State Sunday in Davis, led 12-10 at the quarter, but shot a dismal 25 percent in the second quarter to fall behind 26-20 at the half.
The Vandals then opened the third quarter with a 10-2 burst to push their lead to 36-22 and appeared ready to run away and hide.
UC Davis had other ideas.
Megan Norris and Tova Sabel each had a 3-pointer in a span of 33 seconds to start the rally as the Aggies went on a 25-4 streak to overwhelm their hosts.
A jumper by Ryann Bennett stretched UCD's lead to 56-45 midway through the fourth quarter and the Vandals came no closer than four points the rest of the way.
Following their 25-percent shooting performance in the second quarter, the Aggies hit with 53.3-percent accuracy in the third quarter to dramatically and quickly turn the game around.
A big factor in the rally was UCD's 50-31 advantage on the boards as all 10 Aggie players had at least one rebound.
UCD was also 14 of 16 from the charity stripe, with Avery Sussex hitting three straight free throws after a steal to end the third quarter and solidify the Aggie lead.
Norris led the Aggies with 19 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks, while Sabel added 13 points and seven rebounds and Sussex came off the bench to pour in 10 points in just 13 minutes of action.
Norris hit 4 of 8 from long range to help the Aggies pull away.
UCD now takes 10 days off before closing the non-conference schedule at home Dec. 28 in a 1 p.m. game against Cal Maritime.
The Aggies, 2-0 in the Big West, resume conference play at home Jan. 2 against Cal State Bakersfield (6 p.m.) and Jan. 4 with CSUN (2 p.m.).
Reach Bob Dunning at bobdunning@thewaryone.com
As you may know, The Wary One is a reader-supported publication that relies strictly on paid subscriptions for its existence.
So here's a great idea for a low-cost stocking stuffer for a family member or friend.
Just click the button below to give them a gift subscription they can enjoy throughout the New Year.
Or, if you happen to be a free subscriber, you can give yourself a gift subscription that you can enjoy throughout the new year.
This team is coming together at just the right time. There is no quit in them.
If you have 19 more rebounds than your opponent, you have 19 more possessions. And if you have 19 more possessions, you’re much more likely to win. Jen Gross is a fantastic coach. Go Ags!