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

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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.

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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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,7 ,r?; W; 3f UPPER LEFT: Jim Becket 0C0 lets go with a driving shot against Sacramento State. Ron Knight prepares for a rebound. UPPER RIGHT: Bill Wetmore gets smashed between two Sacto State players in a fight for the ball. Grant Braun C33 and Glenn Goldsmith CLO are other Aggies in picture. MIDDLE RIGHT: Nelson i23i moves in for a rebound following a shot in the S. F. State game. LOWER RIGHT: Frank King lets go with a shot from the back of the foul circle. Perhaps the most interesting of the non-conference games which the Aggies played during the season was the three game series with Sacramento State. Sacramento had a team composed of several former J.C. and college stars who were plenty good. The first of the contests was played on the local hardwood early in the season. The game was strictly an offensive affair and was nip and tuck all the way through. Leading by seven points going into the final two minutes, the Mustangs hung on in an exciting hard fought finish to win by a narrow four point margin, 57 to 53. It was a thriller from start to finish and deeply hurt the Hornet's pride. The second game was as rough and as close as the first, but the outcome was somewhat different. The Hornet's were not to be denied this time and won by the same four count gap, 48 to 44. The victory started Sacramento out on a streak of wins. Among the teams which the Hornets defeated were Y.M.l. of San Francisco, a good A.A.U. team, twice; C.O.P.,- San Jose State; and Chico State. The Hornets were red hot, and according to the Capital City sports writers were going to take the Aggies without much trouble. However, the Mustangs had another story to tell. The opening minutes indicated a high scoring contest as both teams swished shot after shot from any angle. The Mustangs led for the opening minutes, but the Hornets pulled ahead, 14 to T3, and looked like they were going to stay there. The half time score was 26 to 22 in the Hornet's favor and from all indications the experts were right in picking a Hornet victory.