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Davis

Davis, California

Monday, March 18, 2024

Women’s Basketball preview

Key Games: UC Davis vs. Sacramento State; at Saint Mary’s; vs. Cal State Fullerton

Records as of this writing: Aggies, 5-1; Hornets, 3-3;  Gaels, 4-3; Titans, 3-2

Where: The Pavilion; McKeon Pavilion –– Moraga, Calif.;

When: Sunday at 2 p.m.; Dec. 10 at 5 p.m.; Dec. 31 at 2 p.m.

Who to watch: Statistically speaking, senior Kasey Riecks is having a year much like the last. She is one of the Aggies’ more consistent performers, averaging 8.2 points per game so far this season. Yet, she has a history of catching fire in the second half of the season.

Riecks knocked down 15 points against Santa Clara on Monday. Her leadership and experience will play a key role for UC Davis as the Aggies progress further through the season.

Did you know? Don’t pity the Aggies for their eight games over winter break just yet. Among the games the Aggies have scheduled over the course of winter break, three will be in Hawaii. UC Davis will participate in the Chevron Wahine Rainbow Shootout from Dec. 18 to 20.

The women’s basketball program has had some good results in the Aloha State, as it won three games in Hawaii back in the 2007-08 campaign in the Waikiki Beach Marriott Classic.

Preview: The Aggies will play Sacramento State on Sunday, but once finals are over, the real work will begin for Head Coach Jennifer Gross and the UC Davis women’s basketball program. Seven games are scheduled over winter break, beginning with a game against Saint Mary’s on Dec. 10 and concluding with a contest against UC Irvine on Jan. 7.

The contest on New Year’s eve against Cal State Fullerton marks the beginning of Big West Conference play. Having won the Big West tournament last year, UC Davis, who had a strong start to the 2011-12 season, is the team to beat.

Yet, Gross says this does not create extra pressure on them. The season is still young, and as the games come, the Aggies will only improve.

UC Davis is not the same team it was last year, and the Aggies bring a different playing style to the courts.

“Our younger players are getting more comfortable and we’re confident adding to the depth we have,” Gross said. “Our team confidence is growing day by day.”

The team will travel to Hawaii before its first Big West match-up when it hosts the Titans. The Aggies are undefeated in three games at home this season.

“Our focus is defense and rebounds, I’m really expecting the girls to dig in and commit to improving those areas,” Gross said. “We keep getting better and the winning will come.”

— Matthew Yuen

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