SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Interstat) — Nils Cooper scored 19 points to lead UC Davis to a 93-86 victory over UC Santa Barbara in a Big West Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Thunderdome.

The Aggies (9-6, 2-1) used a 50-point second half to pull away after trailing 47-43 at halftime. The Gauchos (9-7, 1-3) could not maintain their early offensive pace despite 20 points from Miro Little.

UC Davis was more efficient, posting a 126.7 offensive rating and making 20 of 24 free throws. The Aggies also forced eight steals and outscored UC Santa Barbara 13-2 in second-chance points off seven offensive rebounds. Carl Daughtery added 16 points for UC Davis. CJ Shaw led the Gauchos with 18 points. Attendance was 2,091.