It wasn't anything personal, but first place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association was on the line -- and the UC Davis coach wanted to get a win against his alma mater.

Mission accomplished.

Fogel, a former Sonoma State standout, returned home Friday night and led the No. 5-ranked Aggies to a 62-55 victory over the Cossacks before a record crowd of 2,052 at Cossack Gym.

Besides helping the Aggies win the Division II national title last season as an assistant, the victory over the No. 16-ranked Cossacks was special for the rookie coach.

"It's nice to go home and do well in front of family and friends," Fogel said. "I'm very proud of this team because we didn't shoot well. But we hung around and hung around until we got them."

The Aggies (15-3, 11-2) moved into sole possession of first place in the conference and should move ahead of the Cossacks (14-3, 10-3) in the NCAA West Region rankings next week. Both teams entered the game tied for second place in the poll.

The Aggies didn't play their best game, but they stepped up when it counted.

The Aggies rallied from a nine-point deficit with nine minutes to play, using a 12-0 spurt for a 46-43 lead with 3:54 remaining.

With starters Dante Ross, J.C. Timmons and Jason Cox on the bench, Tyler Boyd and Scott Darmstadt were instrumental in the Aggies' rally.

Boyd took one shot, but he made it count. The freshman point guard drilled a three-point basket with a second on the shot clock, capping the spurt.

Darmstadt put the game out of reach when he canned back-to-back three-point bombs for a 54-50 advantage.

"Under the circumstances, that was the best our team executed in a game this season," Fogel said. "We played smart when it mattered."

Sonoma State, however, did not.

"They are better than us," Sonoma State coach Pat Fuscaldo said. "They came to our house and proved they were smarter, had more patience and didn't get rattled.

"Until we become more cerebral, they will always kick our butts. That's the bottom line."

Cox scored 16 points, hitting on 7 of 12 attempts. His ability to score inside and out kept the Cossacks off balance.

Ross scored 11 points despite missing 5 of 10 free throws.

Darmstadt had just six, but his two three-point baskets loomed large because they came in the clutch.

"Absolutely, huge," Fogel said. "He found holes in their defense and beat their double team. I don't know why we didn't go to him earlier, because that shot was open all night."

The Aggies won despite missing 9 of 17 shots from the free-throw line, including 1 of 7 in the first half.

Still, the Aggies covered that shortcoming with heady play and a furious run.