The Ags looked static in Q2 but their defense came out of the half on FIRE as they pulled ahead and didn’t look back. Lots of playing time for the non-starters. Only two Ags in double figures and that was Eps and Sabel with 10. But lots of scoring down the lineup.

There was an obviously new referee who was being coached/corrected throughout the game which was interesting to watch.

The Matadors’ zone defense caused problems for UCD in the first half, but the Aggies returned the favor locking down the Matadors and taking slowly but steadily control after the 1st quarter media timeout. On the plus side, having to work at it will make for a good week in practice before heading to SoCal for what are now even bigger games at Fullerton and Long Beach.

Despite the slog through the Matador zone, everyone on the floor for the Aggies was looking to be aggressive with the ball.

Unfortunately, mentoring a newbie seems to result in too many no calls. While the officials whistled a half-dozen offensive fouls when CSUN set screens, they allowed Megan Norris and Ally Fitzgerald to get mugged whenever either player made a move in the low post, and cutters were constantly grabbed.

Big West Score Alert: UC Irvine 54 UC Riverside 59 at Riverside. The Aggies get an assist from the Highlanders! And a BIG week ahead for UCD women, playing at Long Beach with the conference lead possibly on the line.

But also an indication that Riverside will be a tougher out, especially at home, than they've been for a couple of years.

This is a fun team to watch. They have good depth and they play up tempo and unselfishly. I love their defensive intensity also. Two big road tests next week!

Fitzgerald continues to improve week over week. She's a dead-eye from the freethrow line. If she stays healthy this season (crosses fingers) she'll make a difference.

We get Fullerton first next week and the The Beach (are they still The Beach?) Fullerton is Not Good this year - they lost in OT against CSUN last Thursday giving up a 17 point 2nd half lead.

The intentional foul called in the 2nd half of our CSUN game definitely was flagrant as the offending player (with an immense lack of subtlety) pushed Epps to the deck. I think she learned that the previous game as a Fullerton player set a screen, with a push, suitable for the NFL on Thursday.

It's embarrassing that we can't manage to get the timing/scoring situation under control. I'm wondering if the Daktronics system is old? For some reason they can't use all four of the scoreboards at court level and we have repeated clock errors, more than any other venue in the Big West that I've seen and I watch games on EPSN+ quite a bit.

Our TV guys need to figure out the right settings for their cameras - the floor is over exposed by a lot. They've been under exposed in the past. Still, it's the best product we've had and the camera work and production choices is improving. We'll have to move up a gear for Mountain West. (sigh)

Agree that Ally Fitz is starting to show she can make an impact off the bench. Definitely hoping she stays healthy and continues to develop - and stay for a fifth year. One area to improve is stronger hands on the ball. She had it stripped 2-3 times yesterday while holding it. Clara Glad is another player who is pushing for more playing time. More confident shooting the 3 and going to the basket.

The Fullerton game could be tricky. Jeff Harada usually gets a lot out of what he has, and Fullerton seems to play us tough, especially at home. The Aggies can't be looking past Thursday to the matchup with Long Beach.

Love the way Jen Gross is coaching this team. Up by 28 yesterday and she didn't like the defensive effort, so called a timeout and lit into everyone, not just those on the court. That's the second time in this homestead I've seen that. This team seems to want that accountability. They responded really well both times.