UC Davis women are strong down the stretch to take an impressive Big West basketball win over Cal State Bakersfield
Epps leads the way with 28 points while Norris dominates on both ends of the court in 69-59 win
BAKERSFIELD - Nya Epps was unstoppable with a career-high 28 points as UC Davis pulled away in the second half for a convincing 69-59 win over Cal State Bakersfield in Big West women’s basketball action Saturday afternoon.
The win before a sparse gathering of 74 at the Icardo Center moves the Aggies to 10-4 overall and 3-0 in league play. Bakersfield is now 5-9 and 0-4.
Bakersfield has struggled in the early part of the 20-game Big West campaign, but the Roadrunners came out of the gate ready to do battle, jumping to a 13-6 lead before UCD took control.
The Aggies went on a quick 7-0 run to even things as the teams ended up tied at 15 at the end of the quarter.
UCD led 31-26 at half, but fell behind 37-36 in the third quarter before going on an 11-0 run with Megan Norris hitting three field goals, while Epps and Ryann Bennett had one each during the spurt.
The Roadrunners kept it close in the fourth quarter, cutting the Aggie lead to 63-59, but UCD’s defense stepped up to shut out CSUB over the final 3:36.
Epps was 8 of 11 from the field, including a pair of treys, while contributing eight rebounds and a steal.
Norris was her usual dominating self with 15 points, 13 boards, three blocks, two assists and a steal.
The women return home Thursday for a 6 p.m. game against UC Santa Barbara and stay home Saturday for a 2 p.m. showdown with Cal Poly.