MERCED, Calif. - The University of California, Merced men's basketball team scored their most points ever in a California Pacific Conference game and won the season opener on Thursday night, 92-79 over La Sierra University inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.

The Bobcats have now won four straight season openers, two of which have been by double figures. 

Leading the way for the Bobcats was a three-headed attack consisting of Chiwike E'denchukwu, Mason Westlake and Kingsley Obiorah. E'denchukwu and Westlake shared game-high with 20 points, while Obiorah was good for a career-high 19 points and 13 rebounds.

E'denchukwu, who also grabbed five rebounds and recorded two steals, missed just one of his ten shots on the night. The only other Bobcat to shoot 90% from the field with double figure attempts is Cole Taira (10/28/17). E'denchukwu's 20-point game was the third of his career and six of his 20 points Thursday night came via the slam dunk. The most experienced player on the Bobcats roster is now tied with Joshua Kimble for ninth all-time on the program's all-time scoring list. The two each have 627 points to their name.

Westlake's 20-point effort was the fifth of his career and he got there this time around thanks to four triples. 

Obiorah's career-high scoring effort came while shooting 73% (8-11) from the floor. The season opener also marked the center's tenth career double-figure rebounding game.

Jonah Cottrell was also solid for the Bobcats, adding 15 points and five assists. Cottrell shot 55% from the floor and 60% from beyond the arc. 

As a team, the Bobcats shot a stellar 56.9% from the floor and 41% from the three-point line. 

The Bobcats were in control throughout, leading for the game's final 37 minutes and by double figures for the final 25 minutes. The Bobcats biggest lead was 21 points early in the second half, 61-40. 

La Sierra responded briefly, but the Bobcats always had an answer. UC Merced's lead was between 13 and 18 points for the final eight minutes of the contest.

The Bobcats won their fifth straight against La Sierra and improved to 9-2 vs. the opponent under head coach Kevin Pham. 

A plethora of Bobcats made their UC Merced debut in the victory, including Onkar Sidhu who grabbed a pair of offensive rebounds to go along with a shifty drive to the basket. Sidhu shared his UC Merced debut with fellow junior college transfers Markel Wells and Zach Phipps. 

Freshmen Jaron Mertle, Tiler Fears and Josiah Ajiake all made their collegiate debut and recorded a field goal. Ajiake's basket was a three-point field goal.

Other individual notables include a career-high six points and two steals from Angel Serena, five rebounds from Mason Johnson and a block by Westlake.

The Bobcats 92 total points Thursday night surpassed the previous UC Merced Cal Pac single-game record of 90 points set back on January 6, 2013.

The Bobcats return to action Friday afternoon against La Sierra. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:00pm.