MERCED, Calif. - The University of California, Merced women's basketball team forced Life Pacific University into 37 turnovers and outscored the Warriors 19-2 in the second quarter on the way to a 58-41 victory Monday afternoon on Hostetler Court.
The Bobcats (2-2) turned those 37 turnovers into 33 points and added 13 second chance points to win their sixth straight home game dating back to last season.
Though the Bobcats didn't have a bunch of steals to show for, head coach Sarah Hopkins-Chery's defense was suffocating and the Warriors were whistled for multiple ten-second backcourt violations and 30-second shot clock violations to help make up the 37 turnover count.
Life Pacific's Kyannie Brown led all scorers with 19 points, but the Bobcats had three in double figures. The three UC Merced leading scorers came off the bench, including Mia Belvin who finished with 12 points and four steals. Haylee Owen added eleven points and six assists, while Marisse Jackson had a career-high ten points in 13 minutes. Jackson also grabbed seven rebounds, five offensive.
Rainah Smith was good for nine points, seven rebounds and three steals. Smith was the first Bobcat to score, converting a free throw attempt in the first two minutes.
Deyliana Lewis also made a free throw in the first quarter, but a Belvin field goal was the hosts only other shot that went through the net in the first ten minutes and the Bobcats trailed 13-4 at the end of the quarter. UC Merced shot just six percent (1-17) in that span.
The dominant 19-2 run in the second quarter was the game-changer as once UC Merced took the lead with 5:58 on the clock they remained out in front the rest of the game. Also after taking the 16-15 lead, UC Merced forced Life Pacific into turnovers on six straight possessions and didn't allow a Warrior score until the second half.
Owen was a markswoman in the second quarter, connecting on both her attempts from beyond the arc. Her second three had the Bobcats up by six at 21-15. The Bobcats final bucket in the first half also involved Owen, an assist on a Jackson bucket to go up 23-15. The Bobcats have now led at the half in three of the first four games.
UC Merced took their first double figure lead of the game late in the third quarter, 37-26 after a Belvin steal and score. The third quarter was also Belvin's best of the night as she scored six of her 12 points and had an assist and a steal. Owen scored five points in the quarter, while Afu and Jackson added two each.
The Bobcats led 38-28 going into the final ten minutes and led by double figures the rest of the way. Smith and Cierra McClain scored on back-to-back possessions to go up 42-28 early on.
Overall, the fourth quarter was the Bobcats best offensive quarter scoring 20 points on 50% (8-16) shooting. The Bobcats also recorded assists on six of the eight made field goals and were 100% (3-3) from the charity stripe.
The Bobcats first 17 point lead, 53-36, came after a Shelby Bohlmann triple with just over 90 seconds to go. After a Life Pacific three, Edmond got the advantage back up to 17 points with a three-point play the hard way. Jackson accounted for the Bobcats final bucket off an assist from Lewis.
The 58 points is tied for the second highest UC Merced point total this season. Overall, the Bobcats shot 32% (22-68) from the floor, 20% (5-24) from distance and 64% (9-14) from the foul line.
Life Pacific shot 38% (18-48) but failed to get to the line often, taking just three trips and shot 3-5 (60%) from that stripe.
Other notables include 17 offensive rebounds from UC Merced and no player committing more than two fouls.
Afu grabbed three offensive boards on the way to a career-high ten rebound effort.
Looking ahead, UC Merced heads to Klamath Falls, Ore. for a two-game Lithia - Oregon Tech Classic. The Bobcats first opponent is the 21st-ranked Oregon Tech Owls on Friday, November 15. The game is scheduled for 5:30pm.
