University of California Davis - El Rodeo Yearbook (Davis, CA)

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UPPER LEFT: Becket pushes up a shot against Sacramento State. UPPER RIGHT: Braun gets fouled as he attempts a shot against Sacramento State. MIDDLE RIGHT: The Mustangs head back on defense after scoring two points. LOWER RIGHT: Hal Nelson shoots one over the head of a S. F. State defender as Carl Reich looks on. The conference season opened with these same two schools at each others throats for two very tight contests. in the first game the Wildcats emerged victorious 54 to 51, although the Aggies led most of the game. However, the Mustangs roared back in the second game to win in a close contest 46 to 41. San Francisco State was the next conference opponent for the Mustangs. The series was split, one game at Davis and one at Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco. Before the home crowd, the Mustangs had an off night, but won 48 to 32. Both teams appeared to be off their. games after play resumed following a twenty minute time out while every light in the gymnasium was off. However, the following night in San Francisco nothing could stop the Mustang deadeyes as they rolled to a 61 to 47 victory. Everything looked rosy for the Mustangs, as they were tied for first with the cellar dwelling Humboldt State Lumberjacks next on the list. However, the Lumberiacks came up with a surprise for the Aggies by dumping them 42 to 34. Playing a tight zone, the Humboldt team held the Aggies at arms length throughout the contest. As the Aggie long shooters couldn't find the range at all, this was the deciding factor. The second night was an entirely different story as the Aggie sharpshooters hit from all angles to win handily 61 to 50. Even though this loss to the Lumberiacks was only the second loss of the conference season, it was enough to put the team in a hole and make the rest of the schedule an uphill drag all the way. m; i tyhmyf fhu-w.s.;g-w;-.we .. -u V v x ,V , A gaFaw Mismumni-o' 1! e N' - i . v

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ant Bruun UPPER LEFT: Goldsmith iumps high on a iump ball against S. F. State as Ron Knight, Bill Wetmore i35t and Hal Sconyers QM move in on the ball. UPPER RIGHT: Glenn Goldsmith T310 drives in for a possible rebound of Braun's push shot against Sacramento State. MIDDLE LEFT: Glenn Goldsmith swishes a free throw against S. F. State. BOTTOM LEFT: Braun lets fly with a running push shot while Ernie Wetmore i32t comes up to go after the rebound. Led by Captain Grant Braun, the Cal Aggie basketball team rolled to the close of the 1949-1950 season with a record of 15 wins and 8 losses. In conference play the Mustangs closed the season in second place behind Chico with eight victories and four defeats. The conference race this year was close between the Aggies and Chico, and was not decided until the final series between the two schools on the Wildcat hardwood at Chico. The Aggies traveled to Chico for the last two games of the season in a tie for first place. However, due to the schedule igiving Chico 16 games and the Aggies only T2i the Wildcats needed only one of the two to clinch the crown while the Aggies needed both. Chico lost no time in making sure of the top spot, as they won on Friday night 63 to 44. The first half was one of the fastest of the season with the Aggies leading most of the way. However, iust before the intermission the Wildcats pulled ahead 29 to 30. The second half, however, was a walk away, Chico winning easily 63 to 44. Even though the second game didn't mean a thing as far as the conference race was concerned, it was just as thrilling. Playing before a standing room only crowd, as the night before, the Mustangs lost a heart breaker in the closing minute of play, 59-58. Although the Mustangs were slightly behind at half time, they tied it up and went ahead soon after the intermission. However, after leading through- out the second half, the Mustangs had the misfortune of seeing Jater Cowan, an all conference forward for the Wildcats who hit for 20 points in this one, sink a 40 foot push shot to put Chico out in front for the victory.

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ya xx,.- . ' gr t UPPER LEFT: An unidentified Aggie iumps high above the outstretched hands of two S. F. State players and Goldsmith i310 to get a rebound. UPPER RIGHT: Hal Nelson i33i, Glenn Goldsmith QM, and Ernie Wetmore strain for a rebound against Sacramento State. MIDDLE LEFT: Bill Wetmore dribbles the ball over the center line against S. F. State. LOWER LEFT: Ron Knight BU comes down after laying up a basket in the S, F. State game. Carl Reich UH looks on. Next on the schedule was a return series with the Staters of San Francisco State. Friday night in San Francisco the Aggies had another cold night, but managed to stay out in front and win by ten points, 49 to 39. Saturday night on the local hardwood the Aggies followed the pattern set in the previous pair of contests by swishing baskets from all angles to win going away, 66 to 44. At the same time the Mustangs were taking a pair from $.F.S. the Southern Oregon Raiders were splitting two with Chico. Chico's loss put the Aggies back in the mathematical race-all they had to do was win the last four games, two from Southern Oregon and two from Chico. The first half of the assignment was accomplished, but the second half was not. The Aggies followed the old familiar pattern of playing poorly the first night and excellent the second, but won them both to stay in the race. Playing only well enough to win, the Mustangs topped the Raiders 51 to 42 in the opening game of the series. The second night was a far happier contest, as the offense as well as the defense was clicking. The Mustangs were never behind, winning by 19 points, 64 to 45. Then came the fatal series with Chico related above. It was unfortunate for the Aggies that they did not play a full sixteen game schedule as did Chico, but it was an unavoidable situation and might not have made any difference in the final outcome of the conference.