UC Davis Aggies Defeat UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 93-86
Thursday, January 8, 2026, 9:00 PM ET · The Thunderdome
UC Davis Aggies 93, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 86, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won UC Davis Aggies vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos?
UC Davis Aggies beat UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 93-86 at The Thunderdome on January 8, 2026.
Who was favored in UC Davis Aggies vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos?
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -198 (about 66% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup at The Thunderdome, the UC Davis Aggies overcame the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos with a final score of 93-86. This victory marks a significant achievement for the Aggies, who had previously won both of their last two meetings against the Gauchos, continuing their dominance in this rivalry. The Aggies now hold a 3-0 record against UC Santa Barbara in their last three encounters.
The game showcased the contrasting recent forms of both teams. The Gauchos entered the contest with a record of 9-7, having struggled in their last ten games with a 6-4 record but facing a two-game losing streak. Their average points scored in this stretch was 76.8, while they allowed an average of 71.6 points per game. Notably, they had a strong home record of 5-0 earlier in the season, but their recent performances indicated a decline, particularly as they averaged just 69.0 points in their last five games, while allowing 73.0 points.
In contrast, the Aggies, with a record of 9-6, had a more balanced recent form, going 5-5 in their last ten games. They were coming off a loss, but their scoring average in this period was significantly higher at 80.9 points, while they allowed 77.6 points per game. Their away record was 2-3, indicating a struggle on the road, but their offensive capabilities were evident, especially with an average of 89.4 points scored in their last five games.
The odds heading into the game, as provided by DraftKings, favored the Gauchos with a spread of -4.5, indicating that they were expected to win by that margin. The total points line was set at 147.5, reflecting expectations of a high-scoring affair. The moneyline odds showed the Gauchos at -198.0, while the Aggies were at 164.0, further emphasizing the perceived advantage for the home team.
In terms of injuries, there were no specific details provided in the block regarding player absences, which often play a crucial role in the dynamics of such games. However, both teams appeared to be at full strength, allowing for a competitive matchup.
The conditions at The Thunderdome were conducive to a fast-paced game, and the Aggies took full advantage of this, particularly in the second half. Key scoring plays included a layup by Aidan Mahaney, which pushed the Aggies ahead, and a dunk by Nils Cooper, assisted by Brayden Fagbemi, that further extended their lead. Connor Sevilla was instrumental in the closing moments, making crucial free throws that solidified the Aggies' victory.
This game was a testament to the Aggies' ability to perform under pressure, particularly given their previous successes against the Gauchos. With the final score reflecting a close contest, viewers witnessed a display of resilience and skill from UC Davis, as they managed to maintain their lead despite a strong push from UC Santa Barbara in the latter stages of the game. The Gauchos, on the other hand, will need to reassess their strategy as they look to bounce back from this defeat.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UCSB -4.5 | 147.5 o -105 / u -115 | UC Davis Aggies +164 · UC Santa Barbara Gauchos -198 |
Leaders
- PointsMiro Little20UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
- AssistsMiro Little5UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
- ReboundsColin Smith7UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
- PointsNils Cooper19UC Davis Aggies
- AssistsMarcus Wilson5UC Davis Aggies
- ReboundsNils Cooper7UC Davis Aggies
Recent form
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
Last 10: 6-4Streak L276.8 scored · 71.6 allowed per game5-0 at home
- L65-74at Cal State Northridge MatadorsJan 3
- L84-95at Cal State Fullerton TitansJan 2
- W79-61vs Portland PilotsDec 22
- L64-67at Green Bay PhoenixDec 18
- L53-68at Utah Valley WolverinesDec 13
- W109-84vs Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersDec 7
- W84-77vs Long Beach State BeachDec 5
- W74-71vs Seattle U RedhawksNov 29
- W72-70at Lehigh Mountain HawksNov 28
- W84-49vs Nobel KnightsNov 25
UC Davis Aggies
Last 10: 5-5Streak L180.9 scored · 77.6 allowed per game2-3 away
- L79-81vs Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersJan 3
- W89-80vs Cal State Northridge MatadorsJan 1
- W108-52vs Pacific Union PACIFIC UNIONDec 28
- W93-83at Idaho State BengalsDec 21
- L78-79vs Seattle U RedhawksDec 18
- L62-104at Oregon DucksDec 13
- L69-75at Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsDec 5
- W77-56vs Louisiana Ragin' CajunsNov 25
- L79-95at Colorado BuffaloesNov 22
- W75-71at Nevada Wolf PackNov 19
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah State | 29-7 | - | 15-5 |
| San Diego State | 22-11 | 1 | 14-6 |
| New Mexico | 26-11 | 2 | 13-7 |
| Grand Canyon | 20-12 | 2 | 13-7 |
| Nevada | 24-13 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Boise State | 20-12 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Colorado State | 21-13 | 4 | 11-9 |
| UNLV | 18-17 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Wyoming | 18-15 | 6 | 9-11 |
| Fresno State | 13-19 | 8 | 7-13 |
| San José State | 9-24 | 12 | 3-17 |
| Air Force | 3-29 | 15 | 0-20 |
| UC Irvine | 23-12 | - | 15-5 |
| Hawai'i | 24-9 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UC San Diego | 23-11 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Northridge | 20-14 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 18-16 | 3 | 12-8 |
| UC Davis | 19-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 18-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Cal Poly | 14-19 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Long Beach State | 10-22 | 9 | 6-14 |
| UC Riverside | 10-22 | 10 | 5-15 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | 8-24 | 13 | 2-18 |
Box score
| Stat | UC Davis Aggies | UC Santa Barbara Gauchos |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 30-58 | 29-53 |
| Field goal % | 52 | 55 |
| Three-pointers | 13-32 | 12-24 |
| Three-point % | 41 | 50 |
| Free throws | 20-24 | 16-25 |
| Free throw % | 83 | 64 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 26 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 4 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 22 |
| Assists | 16 | 20 |
| Steals | 8 | 4 |
| Blocks | 4 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 7 | 15 |
| Fast-break points | 11 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 32 |
| Fouls | 20 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 18 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 42 | 51 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half61-56CJ Shaw makes 3-foot jumper (Hosana Kitenge assists)
- 2nd Half64-56Carl Daughtery Jr. makes 24-foot three point jumper (Brayden Fagbemi assists)
- 2nd Half64-57Hosana Kitenge makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-57Carl Daughtery Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half66-58Hosana Kitenge makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-60Colin Smith makes layup (Miro Little assists)
- 2nd Half67-60Nils Cooper makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-63Koat Keat Tong makes 26-foot three point jumper (Zachiah Clark assists)
- 2nd Half69-63Nils Cooper makes layup (Brayden Fagbemi assists)
- 2nd Half70-63Nils Cooper makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half70-66Aidan Mahaney makes 23-foot three point jumper (CJ Shaw assists)
- 2nd Half70-68Miro Little makes layup
- 2nd Half70-69CJ Shaw makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-70CJ Shaw makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-70Brayden Fagbemi makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-70Brayden Fagbemi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-72Miro Little makes layup
- 2nd Half74-72Brayden Fagbemi makes 11-foot jumper
- 2nd Half74-73Miro Little makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-73Niko Rocak makes layup (Marcus Wilson assists)
- 2nd Half76-74Miro Little makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-75Miro Little makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-75Marcus Wilson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-75Marcus Wilson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-75Nils Cooper makes layup
- 2nd Half82-75Niko Rocak makes layup (Nils Cooper assists)
- 2nd Half82-78CJ Shaw makes 22-foot three point jumper (Miro Little assists)
- 2nd Half82-79CJ Shaw makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half85-79Carl Daughtery Jr. makes 24-foot three point jumper (Nils Cooper assists)
- 2nd Half85-81Miro Little makes 17-foot jumper
- 2nd Half86-81Niko Rocak makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half87-81Niko Rocak makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half87-83Aidan Mahaney makes layup
- 2nd Half89-83Nils Cooper makes 5-foot dunk (Brayden Fagbemi assists)
- 2nd Half90-83Connor Sevilla makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half91-83Connor Sevilla makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half91-84Miro Little makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half92-84Connor Sevilla makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half93-84Connor Sevilla makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half93-86CJ Shaw makes layup
Win probability
Above the line favours UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, below favours UC Davis Aggies.
Venue
- The ThunderdomeSanta Barbara, CA
- Attendance2091
- OfficialsRoland Simmons, Eric Curry, James Ford
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