MERCED, Calif. - Senior guard Ryan Haywood registered the first triple-double in program history and four Bobcats finished in double figures as the University of California, Merced men's basketball team downed Bethesda University, 84-69 Friday night inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.
The Bobcats (7-2) start is the best nine-game start in program history and head coach Kevin Pham's team remains undefeated on Hostetler Court (6-0).
Haywood is just the third player ever in the California Pacific Conference to record a triple-double and his historical night in front of a strong home contingent consisted of 17 points, 11 rebounds (career-high) and ten assists. The Pasadena, Calif., native also shot 64% (7-11) from the floor and tacked on two steals to his resume.
Mason Westlake led all scorers with 23 points (tied for career-high) off the bench and is the first Bobcat with back-to-back 20 point games since Cole Taira did so January 27 & February 1 (2018). 15 of Westlakes points came from beyond the arc and 20 of his 23 came in the second half. Westlake has eleven three-point makes in the last two games and has hit a long ball in eight straight contests.
Jonah Cottrell added 18 points on a 57% (4-7) shooting night beyond the arc, 55% (6-11) mark from the field, while also grabbing a career-high seven rebounds.
Seth Cobb was good for ten points, six rebounds and four assists in his first start of the season, while Kinsgley Obiorah had eight rebounds and one block.
Despite the notable statistical efforts, the Bobcats got off to a slow start missing their first 13 triples and found themselves down 27-10 midway through the first half. The eventual 17-point comeback is tied for the third largest comeback in program history, behind a 20-point comeback on December 28, 2018 and a 19-point comeback on January 12, 2016. However, out of every double-figure comeback in program history this is the first time where the Bobcats beat the opponent by ten or more points.
The double figure deficit Friday night lasted until the 7:21 mark of the first half. Trailing 29-18, Westlake buried the Bobcats first three-pointer of the night off a Haywood assist. Haywood then scored inside, as did Mason Johnson to cut the Flames lead down to 29-25. Cottrell followed with a triple to bring the Bobcats within a point and capped off an 18-2 run. The Bobcats accomplished that run in four minutes and 44 seconds.
Down 29-28, the scoring slowed the rest of the half and the Bobcats trailed 35-32 at intermission. The Bobcats have now won four straight games on Hostetler Court while trailing at the half.
Bethesda scored four straight out of the break to go up 39-32. However, the Bobcats countered with an 11-0 run and never trailed the rest of the night. The Bobcats first lead (41-39) came courtesy of a Haywood finger roll.
Tied 44-44 with 14:03 to play, Haywood put the Bobcats up for good as he beat the shot clock with an off-balanced elbow jumper. Westlake followed with one of his five triples to go up 49-44.
Westlake also scored the Bobcats next eight points and after a Cobb three-pointer went through the net, the home team held their first double figure lead of the night at 60-50. The Bobcats also led by ten at 65-55 with 6:52 to play and led by at least ten points for all but 30 seconds the rest of the game.
The Bobcats biggest lead was 78-62 courtesy of a Cobb long ball. The 16 point lead came with 3:32 to play and Haywood assisted Cobb's triple to officially record the program's first ever triple-double.
A Bethesda 7-0 run cut the Bobcats lead down to 78-69 with 90 ticks left but Westlake, Cottrell and Cobb combined to shoot 100% (6-6) from the charity stripe between defensive stops to finalize the 84-69 victory.
Overall, the Bobcats shot 43% (30-70) from the floor, 34% (12-35) from beyond the arc and a season-best 86% (12-14) from the foul line. The Bobcats outrebounded Bethesda 46-34, 14-8 on the offensive glass.
Other notables include tying the team's season-high with 18 assists. The Bobcats have won eleven straight games when recording at least 15 assists.
Looking ahead, the Bobcats will host #23 Dordt University for the first time in program history on Saturday, December 21 inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium. The Saturday afternoon home game is slated to start at 4:00pm.
*Deja Jackson recorded the first triple-double in school history on January 6, 2018.
