MERCED, Calif. - The University of California, Merced men's basketball team finished out its three-game homestand with their most dominant win of the season, beating Pacific Union College 75-52 on Wednesday night inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.

The Bobcats are now 3-0 for the third straight season and their scoring margin was their biggest ever in the 20-game history against Pacific Union. The series record is now 10-10 between the two teams.

Chiwike E'denchukwu registered his second straight double-double and the sixth of his career in Wednesday's win. The reigning California Pacific Conference Player of the Week stuffed his latest stat sheet with 16 points, eleven rebounds, two steals and two assists. He shot over 70% (5-7) from the floor and his points total was enough to pass up George Idehen for eighth on the program's all-time scoring list. E'denchukwu now has 669 career points.

Mason Westlake joined E'denchukwu in double figures and finished with an efficient 17 points. 12 of his 17 points came from beyond the arc and he shot 57% (4-7) from deep. The 57% mark is Westlake's best three-point field goal percentage since November 26, 2019 with a minimum of five attempts. It was his best in a conference game since January 3, 2019.

Westlake eclipsed the 500 career-point plateau with his efforts. The junior guard also grabbed a career-high seven rebounds in the win.

Zach Phipps finished with nine points and didn't miss a shot from three-point land, while Jonah Cottrell and Robert Benson finished with seven and six points, respectively. Benson earned his first career start on Wednesday.

Overall, 15 of the 16 Bobcats who took the floor got in the scoring column. Freshman Stephon Young and Ruke Agbabune saw their first career action and were successful on their first field goal attempt.

As a team, the Bobcats shot 52% (27-52) from the floor, 45% (9-20) from beyond the arc and 80% (12-15) at the charity stripe.

Starting guards Angel Serena and Jonah Cottrell each had three assists. Cottrell has at least three assists in each game this season, a career-long streak.

The Bobcats led Pacific Union for the final 24 minutes, including by double figures for the final ten and a half minutes. Early in the game however, Pacific Union held multiple two possession leads. Their last two possession lead was 20-16 and their last ever lead was 21-20.

Head coach Kevin Pham's team took the lead for good on Phipps' third triple of the night. It started an 11-4 run to end the first half. E'denchukwu scored four points during the run and also assisted on a Jaron Mertle basket. The Bobcats halftime lead was 31-25.

Onkar Sidhu helped extend the Bobcats lead to double figures quickly out of intermission, 37-27. E'denchukwu gave the Bobcats a 13-point lead at 41-28, however a PUC run that was sparked by their defensive efforts shrunk the margin to just five points at 43-38.

It was also a two-possession game at 46-40 before the Bobcats started drawing a plethora of fouls and were able to build their lead back up at the charity stripe. The Bobcats cashed in eight straight free throws at one point.

While the free throws created the comfortable separation, it was back-to-back triples from Cottrell and Westlake that extended the Bobcats lead to 20 points. Westlake's triple, assisted by Cottrell, had the Bobcats ahead 67-46 with five minutes to play.

The two teams traded buckets down the stretch before a game-ending 6-0 UC Merced run allowed the Bobcats to end the game with a 75-52 win. 

The Bobcats 20+ point win is their biggest win since last year's 28-point home win vs. Embry-Riddle on February 8, 2020. It is the fifth win by at least 20 points since the start of the 2019-20 campaign. 

A key reason for the Bobcats big win is their defensive efforts, allowing just 52 total points and limiting Pacific Union to 30% (17-55) from the floor. The Bobcats have now won four straight games dating back to last season when allowing 55 or less points and eleven of their last 12 dating back to 2016-17.

Up next, the Bobcats hit the road for the first time this season and visit La Sierra University for back-to-back games on Monday, March 29 and Tuesday, March 30. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00pm for both games.