UC Davis Aggies Defeat Long Beach State 49ers in High-Scoring Matchup

Aggies edge out 49ers in Big West Conference battle

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The UC Davis Aggies defeated the Long Beach State 49ers 79-75 in a high-scoring college basketball matchup on Thursday, March 5th. The Aggies, led by Connor Sevilla's 23 points, overcame a late surge by the 49ers to secure the victory at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California.

Why it matters

This Big West Conference clash was an important game for both teams as they jockey for position in the standings. The win keeps UC Davis in the hunt for a top seed in the conference tournament, while Long Beach State continues to struggle, having now lost 11 of their last 13 games.

The details

The Aggies jumped out to an early lead, thanks to a balanced offensive attack that saw four players score in double figures. In addition to Sevilla's game-high 23 points, Niko Rocak added a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Long Beach State was led by Gavin Sykes' 19 points, but their defensive struggles allowed UC Davis to shoot 45% from the field and 38% from three-point range.

  • The game was played on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 10:00 PM EST.
  • UC Davis has now won 3 of their last 5 games, while Long Beach State has just 1 win in their last 10 contests.

The players

Connor Sevilla

The leading scorer for UC Davis, averaging 13.6 points per game this season.

Niko Rocak

The starting center for UC Davis, who recorded a double-double in the win.

Gavin Sykes

The top scorer for Long Beach State, averaging 18.8 points per game this season.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game against a scrappy Long Beach State team, but our guys really stepped up and made the plays we needed to get the win.”

— Jim Les, Head Coach, UC Davis Aggies (UC Davis Athletics)

“We just couldn't get enough stops down the stretch. Credit to UC Davis, they made the plays when it counted most.”

— Milos Kostic, Head Coach, Long Beach State 49ers (Long Beach State Athletics)

What’s next

The win keeps UC Davis in contention for a top seed in the upcoming Big West Conference tournament, while Long Beach State will look to regroup and finish the regular season strong.

The takeaway

This high-scoring affair showcased the offensive firepower of both teams, but ultimately UC Davis's balanced attack and timely defensive stops proved to be the difference as they handed Long Beach State their 11th loss in the last 13 games.