SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (Interstat) — A surging UC Davis looks to continue its climb in the Big West standings when it visits a struggling Cal Poly team led by one of the conference’s most explosive scorers on Saturday.

The Aggies (9-6) enter Robert Mott Gymnasium having won three of their last four, including a 93-86 road victory at UC Santa Barbara on Thursday. The Mustangs (6-11) have dropped two straight and six of their last seven, despite a heroic 34-point effort from guard Hamad Mousa in a 95-90 loss at Cal State Northridge their last time out.

This matchup pits two of the league’s top individual talents against each other. UC Davis is powered by guard Nils Cooper, who is averaging 15.4 points over his last five games. He scored 19 points with four assists in the win over UCSB. His consistent production has been key for an Aggies offense that has scored 89 or more points in four of its last five wins.

Cal Poly’s fortunes rest heavily on the hot hand of Mousa. The guard is on a remarkable scoring tear, averaging 26.2 points over his last six contests. He has topped 30 points three times in that span, including a 34-point outburst on Thursday. When Mousa scores 26 or more this season, the Mustangs are 3-2, highlighting his critical importance.

UC Davis holds a clear advantage in the season’s trajectory. Since a 1-3 start, the Aggies have gone 8-3, showing improved offensive cohesion. Cal Poly has struggled to find consistent support for Mousa, particularly on defense. The Mustangs have allowed 83 or more points in eight of their 11 losses.

The Aggies won both meetings last season. For UC Davis, a victory would solidify its position in the upper tier of the conference early in the league schedule. For Cal Poly, protecting its home court is paramount to halt its slide and build momentum before a tough upcoming stretch.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PST on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.