Ask Stanislaus State. Davis junior forward Jason Cox missed Friday's game, but the Aggies (10-2, 6-1) still managed to down the Warriors (4-10, 1-6) 74-55 before 2,997 at Rec Hall's Hamilton Court.

With perennial power Cal State Bakersfield on the schedule tonight, Davis coach Brian Fogel gave Cox the night off to nurse a stress fracture in his right foot. The Aggies didn't miss a beat.

"His foot is day to day," Fogel said. "When we got going, we were doing well. So I decided to rest him."

Fogel said he will make a game-time decision on Cox tonight.

And even if Cox can't go, the Aggies know they can play without the man who averages 10.7 points per game and five rebounds.

"Getting a win without Jason is very encouraging," Fogel said. "It also gives our young players confidence who had to step up and pick up the slack."

The win was the Aggies' third in a row and extended their home winning streak to 27 games.

Davis, ranked No. 4 in the latest NABC/Division II Bulletin Top 25 poll, won with its trademark defense, the best in the CCAA.

The Aggies broke down the Warriors' offense with fullcourt pressure that caused 15 turnovers and held Stanislaus to 35 percent from the field, 25 percent in the first half.

The Aggies also dominated the boards as they outrebounded the Warriors 40-25. "I read that Davis is fourth in the nation," Stanislaus coach John Jones said. "I guess that means we're in the bottom four. It showed. We couldn't catch, dribble, or execute."

It took a while for the Aggies to capitalize on their transition game in the first half. The Aggies were slapped with 11 fouls, slowing up the game.

But when the Aggies inserted their halfcourt trap, the tempo picked up.

"We got into a better flow and were able to cause turnovers," Fogel said. "That's the type of game we like to play."

Fogel was pleased with the Aggies' defense, but not the offense.

"It was all right," he said. "We've got to execute better and recognize where the openings were. We missed a lot of shooting opportunities."

The Aggies led 38-24 at halftime and maintained control the rest of the game.

Dante Ross, J.C. Timmons and Jordan Moss led the Aggies' attack. Ross had 16 points and Timmons 12 points, and Moss stabilized the Aggies' inside game in the absence of Cox, pouring in 10 points and collecting seven rebounds.

Brian Hall paced the Warriors with 13 points and five rebounds. Jay Tipton and Phil Mensonides had nine apiece.

Now the Aggies starting focusing on Bakersfield (5-7, 2-5). Although the Roadrunners fell to Chico State 63-57 Friday, Fogel expects a tough battle.