MERCED, Calif. - Sophomore guard Haylee Owen tallied 19 points and Deyliana Lewis grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds but it wasn't enough as the University of California, Merced women's basketball team fell to Westcliff University, 67-62 Monday night inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.

With the setback, the Bobcats (6-6) have dropped back-to-back home games for the first time since November of 2017.

Haylee Owen and Westcliff's Mammusu Secka shared game-high honors with 19 and both shot 50% from the floor. Owen, who was 8-16, has now finished with at least 14 points in eight straight games and has made multiple triples in nine straight games.

Owen was also good for six rebounds, five assists (1 shy of season-high) and a steal. Mia Belvin added ten points and three steals. 

Rainah Smith had nine points and tied her career-high with four steals, while Lewis and Cierra McClain had eight points each.

Lewis' night was highlighted by her defensive efforts as she grabbed 13 rebounds, blocked two shots and came up with two steals. Lewis is one of just two freshmen in the California Pacific Conference this year to grab 13 rebounds in a game. Lewis also delivered three assists in a game in which the Bobcats had a season-high 16 of them.

Despite the loss, the Bobcats also forced Westcliff into 29 turnovers and outrebounded them 45-43, 21-14 on the offensive glass.

UC Merced struggled shooting the basketball finishing 32% (24-74) from the field, 19% (6-31) from three-point territory and 62% (8-13) from the charity stripe.

Looking ahead, UC Merced will slow down the game action for finals week and the Holidays but return to action on Saturday, December 28 for an exhibition contest at Fresno State. Tipoff is slated for 2:00pm at the Save Mart Center.