UC Davis Aggies defeat UC Riverside Highlanders in Big West matchup

Aggies' strong shooting and free throw performance prove too much for Highlanders

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The UC Davis Aggies defeated the UC Riverside Highlanders 78-72 in a Big West Conference matchup on Saturday, February 21, 2026. The game was played at the SRC Arena in Riverside, California and was broadcast on ESPN+.

Why it matters

This game was an important conference matchup between two teams looking to improve their standings in the Big West. The Aggies' victory over the Highlanders gives them a better record in conference play and keeps them in contention for a higher seed in the upcoming conference tournament.

The details

The Aggies were led by strong performances from Connor Sevilla, who scored 21 points, and Nils Cooper, who added 18 points. The Highlanders were paced by Andrew Henderson's 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Aggies' balanced scoring attack and 45.5% shooting from the field.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

The players

Connor Sevilla

A key player for the UC Davis Aggies, averaging 13.6 points per game and shooting 90.1% from the free throw line.

Nils Cooper

Another important contributor for the Aggies, averaging 12.8 points per game and shooting 55.1% from the field.

Andrew Henderson

The leading scorer for the UC Riverside Highlanders, averaging 17.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to come out strong against a tough UC Riverside team. Our guys executed the game plan well and were able to knock down some big shots when it counted.”

— Jim Les, Head Coach, UC Davis Aggies (knupsports.com)

“We fought hard, but UC Davis was the better team tonight. They made the plays they needed to win the game. We'll regroup and get ready for our next conference matchup.”

— Mike Magpayo, Head Coach, UC Riverside Highlanders (knupsports.com)

What’s next

The Aggies will look to build on this victory as they continue their conference schedule, while the Highlanders will aim to bounce back in their next Big West matchup.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Aggies' offensive efficiency and ability to win on the road, which could prove crucial as they make a push for a higher seed in the Big West tournament. The Highlanders, meanwhile, will need to find ways to win close games against tough conference opponents like UC Davis.