MERCED, Calif. - The University of California, Merced women's basketball team got off to a fast start but ultimately fell 69-47 to Menlo College on Tuesday night inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.

The Bobcats (4-5) loss snapped a season-long three-game winning streak.

Rainah Smith was a big part of the quick Tuesday night start as she scored six of her nine points in the first quarter to help the Bobcats jump out to a 14-7 lead. She also grabbed three of her five rebounds in the first quarter. She would add three steals and two blocks as the night went on. Her steals output tied her season-high and her two blocks tied her career-high.

Haylee Owen pitched in eight points and three steals, while Mikayla Mabie was good for six points, four assists, and two steals. Owen and Mabie each have three straight games with multiple steals. 

Andrea Rogers and Cierra McClain shared team-high with five rebounds. Four of Rogers' five came on the offensive glass. Deyliana Lewis finished with six points and has now hit that tally in six consecutive contests. She also pulled down four rebounds.

Menlo was led by Kiara Brown's fourth straight double-double. This time around, Brown's double-double consisted of 21 points and ten rebounds. 

Brown also shot 64% (9-14) and was a key part of Menlo shooting 51% (27-53) as a team.

Despite that, the Bobcats limited Menlo to just seven points in the first quarter and held a 14-7 lead after ten minutes of play. 

The Bobcats also led by seven points at 16-9 and 20-13 thanks to a strong stretch from Mabie. However, Menlo went on a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to tie the game at 20. After a McClain jumper to retake the lead, Menlo ended the half on a 5-2 run and held the advantage the rest of the night. The halftime lead was 25-24.

Menlo extended their lead to double figures midway through the third quarter and to 16 points at 49-33 entering the fourth. 

Credit the Bobcats for clawing back and cutting the deficit to eleven points at 52-41 before Menlo pulled away for good. Menlo led by 14 with five minutes left and pushed it to 17 a couple possessions later. All in all, Menlo ended the game on a 12-2 run to earn the 69-47 victory.

The win was the sixth straight for Menlo, who in the game prior to this one beat seventh-ranked Vanguard University 70-56.

Gabrielle Israel and Damilola Sule made their collegiate debut in the Bobcats loss. Israel knocked down a triple, while Sule converted a foul shot and dished out two assists.

Soana Afu returned to the court for the first time since January 4, 2020 due to an injury.

The Bobcats finished the night shooting 38% (20-53) from the field, 11% (2-19) from beyond the arc and 50% (5-10) from the charity stripe.

Looking ahead, UC Merced hosts Holy Names University on Saturday, November 27 for the first time since the 2012 campaign. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:00pm on Hostetler Court inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.