MERCED, Calif. - The University of California, Merced men's basketball team failed to pick up a win on Tuesday night, falling 66-59 to San Diego Christian College inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.
The Bobcats (6-5, 0-1) home game marked their first since November 28 and they were led offensively by sophomore Jonah Cottrell, who tallied 15 points on 50% (5-10) shooting.
Cottrell was also one of seven Bobcats with an assist for a squad who has assisted on at least 65% of their field goals in their last two games on Hostetler Court.
Ryan Haywood and Aaron Laflin each tallied seven points and three assists. Laflin also led the team with seven rebounds, three steals and a block.
Laflin's block moves him two blocks away from becoming the program's all-time leader.
The Bobcats failed to grab a lead in the setback, but were able to fight back from a pair of double figure deficits to remain within striking distance.
Midway through the first half, San Diego Christian, the team that upset the No. 2 team in the NAIA ten days ago, pulled ahead by 11 points.
Mason Westlake countered the Hawks with back-to-back triples, which marked his third straight game knocking down multiple three-point field goals. That streak leads the team and he is ranked Top 15 in the California Pacific Conference with 1.4 three-point field goals per game.
Triples from Matt and Aaron Laflin kept the Bobcats within seven points when the half came to a close, 37-30.
The second half was a game of runs. The opponent notched the first run, a 6-0 that came mainly from the foul line.
As a whole, the Bobcats defense was tough in first ten minutes of the second half and limited the Hawks to just 10% (1-10) from the field.
Just over six minutes in, the Bobcats scored seven straight points to cut the once 43-30 deficit to 43-37. Haywood and Laflin both found the bottom of the net, as did Seth Cobb from beyond the arc.
However, the deficit grew to a game-high 17 points with just over eight minutes left on the clock. The margin remained at least ten points for the next three minutes before Kozak hit a pair bonus free throws and Cottrell sunk a triple to get within nine.
Cottrell cut it to six points with 28 seconds left, while Westlake followed an opponent foul make with a bucket inside to cut it to 64-59.
Already a tough task, San Diego Christian made it tougher when the game's leading scorer, Derek Novsek, sunk both free throws to push the lead and the eventual final score to 66-59.
The opponents 66 points were the lowest they have scored against a NAIA opponent this year. Prior to tonight, San Diego Christian had scored at least 70 points in seven straight NAIA contests dating back to last season.
Another notable is the 19 turnovers the Bobcats forced. The Bobcats notched a steal on eight of the 19 turnovers, including two steals from the most recent Merced Sun-Star Player of the Year Angel Serena.
The Bobcats return to action December 28 in the William Jessup University New Year's Classic. The Bobcats play twice in the Classic, starting with University of Saint Katherine on the 28th at 4:00pm. Both games will be held in Rocklin, Calif.
