MERCED, Calif. - The University of California, Merced men's basketball team shot nearly 50% from the field and had four in double figures but it wasn't enough as the Bobcats ultimately fell to University of Antelope Valley, 79-67 on Monday night inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.

The Bobcats (3-9, 0-2) .481 field goal percentage was their best since the season opening win against Vanguard University. Head coach Kevin Pham's team was also efficient from beyond the arc, recording a .458 three-point percentage which was their highest in a regular season game since February 20, 2020.

Josiah Ajiake highlighted the Bobcats efforts with a career-high 16 points off the bench and knocked down four of his seven shots from downtown. He connected on three straight in the first half after missing on his first. 

Onkar Sidhu tallied a season-high 14 points on 66% (6-9) shooting to go along with five assists and two steals. Jaron Mertle aslo shot 66% (4-6) from the field and buried a career-high two triples en route to a 12-point performance. 

Jayson Wiltz contributed eleven points, five rebounds and a couple assists in his first career start.

Ruke Agbabune earned his first career start and finished with five points, four rebounds and blocked a shot.

Mason Westlake added seven points and a career-high six assists.

Antelope Valley was led by Arik Nicholas' 30 points and three blocks.

The Bobcats scored on two of their first three possessions and opened the game on a 14-7 run to grab their largest lead of the night. Wiltz knocked down three triples without a miss during the stretch.

The Bobcats lost their lead midway through the half, but were quick to get it back as Ajiake began his three-point barrage. A Mertle triple had the Bobcats up 33-28 approaching the five minute mark of the first frame and 41-37 in the final 90 seconds, but UAV finished the final minute and a half strong and led 43-41 at intermission.

UAV never surrendered their lead and a 10-2 run in the first five minutes of the second half put them up by double figures for the first time. Soon after, the Pioneers advantage grew to 17 points.

The Bobcats closed the gap to nine points at 67-58 with seven minutes remaining, however were held scoreless for nearly the next four minutes and found themselves down by a game-high 19 points with under four to play. 

Pham's group kept at it and cut the deficit to 12, 79-67, before time ran out.

The Bobcats saw UAV shoot 55% (30-55) from the floor and 60% (6-10) from beyond the arc, and commit just eight turnovers over the 40 minutes of action.

The Bobcats did take advantage of the UAV miscues and scored 16 points off the turnovers. 

Up next, UC Merced begins a four-game road trip at Simpson University in Redding, Calif., on Saturday, January 22. Tipoff from the James M. Grant Center is scheduled for 7:30pm.