Jemel Jones and the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (11-16, 5-10 Big West) face a critical test against the UC Davis Aggies (15-11, 9-6 Big West) this Thursday in Davis. Fresh off a 25-point performance against CSU Fullerton, Jones has emerged as a catalyst for the Roadrunners’ offense, averaging 23.3 points over his last 10 games. The Aggies, however, counter with an 8-2 home record and efficient defense, allowing just 68.7 points per game.
The Big West Conference showdown hinges on UC Davis’s ability to neutralize CSU Bakersfield’s perimeter threat. The Roadrunners average 6.7 three-pointers per game—marginally below the Aggies’ 7.1 allowed. Ty Johnson, UC Davis’s leading scorer (21.4 points per game), will also pose a challenge for CSU Bakersfield’s defense, which concedes 73.0 points on average.
“UC Davis’s 8-2 home record underscores their dominance at the University Credit Union Center,” noted a conference analyst.
Recent trends highlight diverging trajectories:
- UC Davis: 6-4 in last 10 games, leveraging 66.7 points and 7.0 steals per game.
- CSU Bakersfield: 3-7 in their last 10, struggling defensively with 77.7 points allowed.
With both teams fighting for conference positioning, Thursday’s matchup promises high intensity. Can Jones spark another offensive surge, or will UC Davis’s home-court advantage prevail? Tip-off is at 9 p.m. EST in Davis, California.