In a heart-stopping finish that sent shockwaves through the Big West Conference, UC Davis men’s basketball defeated UC Riverside 75-74 Thursday night thanks to graduate forward Niko Rocak’s game-winning three-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining. The victory propels the Aggies (15-10, 9-5 Big West) into a tie for fourth place in conference standings as March Madness looms.
Head coach Jim Les’ squad demonstrated March-ready resilience after trailing by 9 points with 4:32 remaining. Senior guard Ty Johnson fueled the comeback with 23 points and 5 assists before finding Rocak open beyond the arc for the decisive shot. “This team never quits,” Les told reporters postgame. “When your senior leader [Johnson] makes plays and your grad transfer [Rocak] delivers under pressure, that’s tournament basketball.”
Playoff Push Accelerates
The Aggies have won 7 of their last 10 games, positioning themselves as dark horse contenders in the Big West Tournament (March 12-15). Key factors in their surge:
- Defensive Intensity: Holding opponents to 68.2 PPG during this stretch (3rd in conference)
- Clutch Shooting: Shooting 48% in final five minutes of close games
- Depth: Eight players averaging 15+ minutes per game
Standout transfer Pablo Tamba (6’7″ forward from Spain) told local media: “We want that automatic NCAA bid. Every game is our championship now.” The Aggies haven’t danced since their historic 2017 NCAA Tournament appearance but currently sit just two games behind conference leaders UC Irvine and UC San Diego.
Roster Renaissance
This year’s squad blends experience and youth:
| Player | Role | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|
| Ty Johnson (Sr) | Floor General | 16.1 PPG |
| Niko Rocak (Gr) | Stretch Forward | 42% 3PT |
| Marsalis Roberson (Jr) | Lockdown Defender | 1.8 SPG |
The Aggies face critical road tests at Hawai’i (March 1) and home against UC Irvine (March 6) before the conference tournament. With ESPN’s Basketball Power Index giving them a 37% chance to make the Big West championship game, Davis could become this year’s Cinderella story.
