TJ Shorts II from Tustin had another big game Thursday night for UC Davis.
Tustin’s TJ Shorts II did all he could to try and help UC Davis defeat UC Irvine Thursday night in front of family and friends at the Bren Events Center.
It was another inspiring performance for Shorts, who had 21 points and 10 rebounds and led the Aggies in their second half comeback.
But UC Irvine held on for a 71-69 overtime victory in the Big West opener for both teams. UC Davis (4-12, 0-1) trailed by as many as 16 points in the second half and was down by seven with 1:28 left.
“It’s just a fight, really,” said the 5-9 senior, who was the Big West Conference player of the year last season. “We always know coming here playing a tough defensive team it’s always going to be a dogfight. You just have to find toward the end and toward the end the balls didn’t bounce our way and they made a couple more plays and they ended up getting the victory but we will be back.
“We definitely made some adjustments. We had to lock in on defense and take away their offensive rebounds because that’s what really what was killing us. They were getting a lot of o-boards and a lot of second chance points.”
Shorts, the former Tustin High and Saddleback College star, was cheered on by about 25 family and friends, who always come to the games when UC Davis plays in Southern California.
“It’s always good having some people in your corner cheering you on,” he said.
Shorts received plenty of recognition last year after being named the top player in the league.
“It was great, but I’m leaving that in the past,” he said. “This is a new year and this is a new team. So, I’m not really focused on that, I’m just focused on the goals and next we have Long Beach, so I’m locking in on that and be ready to go.”
This season, Shorts is averaging 14.7 points, 3.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds a game and continues to pose serious challenges for opposing teams.
“He’s got the ability, the confidence and it’s a challenge to make plays against him,” said UCI Coach Russell Turner.
Shorts is hoping for a big finish in his final year.
“Get to the NCAA Tournament, that’s my only goal,” he said. “We’re really locked in on that. We’re going to continue to fight and grind out these W’s and get back to our winning ways.”
After the season, Shorts will plan his future.
“I don’t know yet; I’m not really focused on that,” he said. “I’m focused on the season and taking it a day at a time.”
UCI TOPS UC DAVIS IN OVERTIME 71-69
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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