Aggies Hold Off Vikings Late Rally

The Vikings were paced by 13 points and five rebounds by Scott Morrison.

Photo courtesy: Porltand State Athletics/Troy Wayrynen

DAVIS, Calif. - Kyle Brucculeri’s big night was highlighted by clutch free throws down the stretch as he led his UC Davis Aggies to a 76-68 win over the Portland State Vikings.

Brucculeri entered the game averaging just six points, but tallied 26 against the Vikings. The last six came in succession at the free throw line in the final 1:02 of the game, and sealed the win for the Aggies.

It was a satisfying measure of revenge for the school from central California after suffering a 93-61 loss to the Vikings in Portland last year. The Aggies won their third straight contest to improve to 4-2 on the year. The Vikings dropped to 3-3 overall.

Portland State was icy cold early, falling behind 15-2 right away. A Tyrell Mara three-pointer at the 12:35 mark was just the second field goal of the game for PSU and pulled the Vikings within 15-5. But, that was as close as they would get until the last few minutes of the game.

The Aggies went up 21-7, 28-11, and eventually, 43-20, in the first half. UC Davis hit seven of eight three-point field goals in the first half, and shot 58% from the field overall. The Vikings struggled to a 35% mark, including 1-11 from three-point range.

Brucculeri ignited the Aggies hot start, hitting all five of his first-half shots for 14 points.

Scott Morrison scored the first five points of the second half for the Vikings, cutting the deficit to 16. But, the Vikings didn’t seriously threaten until the final two minutes of the game.

A jumper by Mark Payne with 2:31 left in the game gave the Aggies a seemingly insurmountable 69-55 lead. However, PSU scored 11 straight points to turn the 14-point deficit into a three-point deficit with 1:08 remaining to play.

A Jeremiah Dominguez driving layup at the 2:21 mark got things started. Then, Tyrell Mara hit a three-pointer with 2:00 left in the game. Following a steal, Deonte Huff was fouled on a three-pointer and made all three. After another Aggie turnover, Dupree Lucas hit a three with 1:12 remaining. Suddenly, the Vikings were down just three points.

Brucculeri made 6-6 at the line the rest of the way, and teammate Jesse Lopez Low made one of two. Meanwhile, Lucas’ three-pointer would be the Vikings final field goal of the game.

UC Davis shot 51% from the field, compared to 44% for the Vikings. PSU was just 4-22 from three-point range, while the Aggies hit 9-15.

Brucculeri had 26 points on 7-9 field goals, 4-6 from three-point range and 8-12 free throws. He also had a team-high seven rebounds. Vince Oliver added 19 points and six rebounds for UCD.

The Vikings were paced by 13 points and five rebounds by Morrison. Mara, Huff and Julius Thomas all had 10 points each.

Mara led the Vikings with a career-high eight rebounds.

Source: Portland State Athletics

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