OGDEN, Utah (Interstat) — The UC Davis Aggies delivered a commanding defensive performance and used a decisive third-quarter surge to overpower the Weber State Wildcats 75-52 in a non-conference women’s basketball game Wednesday night at the Dee Events Center.

The Aggies remained undefeated, improving to 3-0 on the young season, while the Wildcats fell to 1-2.

A competitive first half gave way to a dominant second-half display from the visiting Aggies. Leading by just four points at halftime, UC Davis exploded in the third quarter, outscoring Weber State 27-14 to break the game open. The Aggies maintained control throughout the final period, never allowing the Wildcats to mount a serious challenge.

The offensive catalyst for UC Davis was Nya Epps. The 5-foot-10 guard from El Cerrito, California, poured in a game-high 20 points, showcasing her scoring prowess from all levels. Her backcourt partner, Ryann Bennett, was equally instrumental. The Long Beach, California, native logged 33 minutes and contributed 16 points, five rebounds and four assists, providing a steady hand in directing the Aggies’ offense.

UC Davis’s efficiency from beyond the arc was a critical factor in the victory. The Aggies connected on 13 of their 32 attempts from three-point range, a 40.6 percent success rate that stretched the Wildcats’ defense. In stark contrast, Weber State struggled mightily from deep, making only 6 of 28 three-point attempts, a 21.4 percent clip.

The defensive effort from UC Davis was relentless. The Aggies forced 16 Weber State turnovers and converted them into 17 points, while the Wildcats managed only seven points off UC Davis’s 13 turnovers. UC Davis also recorded 10 steals, with Avery Sussex and others applying constant pressure on the ball.

While Weber State’s Lanae Billy managed to score 19 points, her efficiency suffered as she needed a high volume of shots to reach that total. The standout performance for the Wildcats came from Antoniette Emma-Nnopu, who hauled in a remarkable 16 rebounds to go along with nine points. However, her efforts on the glass were not enough to overcome her team’s overall shooting woes.

Inside, Megan Norris was a force for UC Davis. The 6-foot-3 forward from Menlo Park, California, just missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds, while also dishing out five assists and recording a block in 30 minutes of action. Avery Sussex added 15 points and five rebounds, and Emmy Ersdala chipped in five points and eight rebounds off the bench.

The game began with Weber State showing early fight. The Wildcats took a 7-4 lead in the opening minutes after a three-pointer from Lanae Billy. The teams traded baskets for much of the first quarter, with Weber State holding a 16-14 advantage late in the period before an Avery Sussex layup tied the game at 16 heading into the second.

The second quarter was a defensive struggle, with both teams finding points difficult to come by. UC Davis managed to edge ahead, outscoring Weber State 14-12 in the period to take a narrow 32-28 lead into the halftime break.

Any hopes of a Weber State comeback were quickly extinguished in the third quarter. The Aggies came out of the locker room with renewed energy, embarking on a 13-2 run that included three-pointers from Epps and Bennett. The offensive barrage continued throughout the quarter, as UC Davis shot efficiently from the field and capitalized on Wildcat turnovers to build an insurmountable 59-42 lead heading into the final frame.

With the outcome no longer in doubt, the Aggies comfortably managed the fourth quarter, maintaining their defensive intensity and executing their offense to secure the 23-point road victory.

The Aggies will look to continue their unbeaten start when they travel to face Boise State on Friday. Weber State will aim to regroup at home against Utah Tech on Saturday.