LONG BEACH, Calif. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a singular, spectacular scoring duel, Marcus Wilson and UC Davis weathered a 33-point onslaught from Long Beach State’s Rob Diaz and escaped the Walter Pyramid with a 76-70 overtime victory in a Big West Conference men’s basketball thriller on Thursday night.

The contest, played before 1,419 fans, was a tense, back-and-forth affair that saw 10 ties and 14 lead changes, ultimately requiring an extra five minutes to decide after the teams finished regulation knotted at 62.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final minute of regulation and throughout the overtime period. With the score tied at 62 and under 30 seconds to play in the second half, Long Beach State’s Rob Diaz, who had carried the 49ers’ offense all night, drove for a potential go-ahead layup. UC Davis’ 6-foot-9 forward Niko Rocak, who finished with four blocks, altered the attempt, and the Aggies secured the rebound. UC Davis had a chance to win it in regulation, but a Marcus Wilson jump shot missed as time expired, sending the game to overtime.

The extra session belonged entirely to the Aggies. UC Davis locked down defensively, holding Long Beach State to just eight points on 2-of-8 shooting while forcing two turnovers. Offensively, the Aggies methodically pulled away. Wilson, who finished with a game-high 30 points, scored on a driving layup to open the overtime scoring. After a defensive stop, Brayden Fagbemi, who added 11 points, hit a crucial three-pointer to push the lead to five. UC Davis sealed the game at the free-throw line, making 7 of 10 attempts in overtime, while the 49ers managed only a single field goal in the final four minutes of the period.

The game was a showcase for two of the conference’s premier guards. Diaz, a Long Beach native, was relentless for the home team, scoring his 33 points on a mix of driving layups, mid-range jumpers, and three three-pointers, keeping the 49ers in contention despite offensive struggles from the rest of the lineup. Wilson, a junior from Albuquerque, New Mexico, answered every challenge, scoring 14 of his 30 points after halftime and adding two assists. His ability to attack the basket and draw fouls was pivotal, as he went 10-for-14 from the free-throw line.

UC Davis improved to 18-12 overall and 4-3 in games decided by six points or fewer this season. Long Beach State, which led 34-31 at halftime, fell to 9-22. The Aggies swept the season series, having defeated the 49ers 71-54 on Feb. 14.

Beyond the star guards, UC Davis received key contributions from its international frontcourt. Omer Suljanovic of Vienna, Austria, scored 11 points off the bench, including a first-half dunk that energized the Aggies. Rocak, from Geneva, Switzerland, provided nine points, four blocks, and critical interior defense, particularly in the overtime. Petar Majstorovic led Long Beach State’s supporting effort with eight points and steady play over 38 minutes.

The game was a battle of attrition, with both teams struggling to find consistent offensive rhythm. The Aggies overcame 15 turnovers by outrebounding the 49ers and making key stops when needed. Long Beach State’s offense often stalled outside of Diaz’s heroics, with the rest of the team combining to shoot under 40 percent from the field.

The victory keeps UC Davis in the thick of the Big West standings as the regular season nears its conclusion. The Aggies will look to build on the hard-fought road win when they travel to face UC Irvine on Saturday. Long Beach State, meanwhile, will attempt to regroup on the road at Hawaii, also on Saturday.