PHOENIX, Ariz. - The University of California, Merced men's basketball team won its third game in as many days and beat first-time opponent Park University Gilbert 54-51, on Sunday night inside the PHHacility.

The Bobcats (7-9, 4-2) have now won four straight road games and hold the longest active winning streak in the California Pacific Conference. Overall, the Bobcats have won a program-record nine straight conference road games dating back to 2019-20.

UC Merced was able to complete the grueling Arizona road trip with a win due to a suffocating defensive effort. The Bobcats allowed just 51 points and forced 22 turnovers, the best defensive numbers since the 2019-20 season. 

The 51 points allowed is also the best mark in any California Pacific Conference game this season when taking into consideration all eleven league teams.

UC Merced held off a late Park run to win the game. The Bobcats were up 52-38 with five minutes left but found themselves on defense in a 54-51 game with the shot clock off. The Bobcats got the final defensive stop to avoid overtime and complete the Arizona sweep.

Kingsley Obiorah and Georgie Nze were the anchors of the Bobcats defense throughout the night. Obiorah grabbed ten rebounds and blocked two shots, while Nze tallied a career-high four steals.

In addition to Obioah's ten rebounds, the Alameda, Calif., native had eleven points to notch his second double-double in the last three games. It was the sixth of his career, which tied him with Ryan Edwards for the fifth most in program history.

Jayson Wiltz and Mason Westlake both extended their double figure scoring streaks with 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Wiltz's streak is now at five games, the longest double figure scoring streak by a freshman since Ronnie Kozak did so in February of 2017. Wiltz tied his career-high with four triples en route to his 14-point night.

Westlake, who became the conference's all-time three-point record holder in the previous game, matched Wiltz with four triples. Westlake also had four assists to move into a tie with Michael Pierick for sixth on the program's all-time list with 108 career assists. Westlake played 38 of the 40 minutes.

Jaron Mertle and Robert Benson were efficient on the offensive end. Mertle had eight points on 66% (4-6) shooting, while Benson made all three of his field goal attempts off the bench.

Other individual notables include six rebounds from Onkar Sidhu, four assists from Nze, three assists each from Sidhu and Tiler Fears, and two steals from Caleb Gilbert.

Westlake and Wiltz opened the Bobcats scoring with back-to-back triples and another Westlake three-pointer five minutes later tied the game 14-14. The two teams traded baskets through the midway point of the half, before Wiltz scored five straight points of his own and had the Bobcats out in front the rest of the night. The Bobcats biggest first half lead was 29-22. They led 29-25 at intermission.

The Bobcats lead was between two and six points for the first eleven minutes of the second half. With 8:47 to go, head coach Kevin Pham's team created separation with a 10-0 run over the ensuing three minutes. Wiltz knocked down two triples in the surge, while post players Obiorah and Benson had a basket each.

Benson scored two more baskets in the next 90 seconds, but the Bobcats were held scoreless for the final four and a half minutes. The Bobcats defensive showing was enough to finish out the win.

In all three games of the Arizona road trip, the Bobcats made a defensive stand at the end of the game or overtime as the opponent had the chance to tie it up with the shot clock off.

With the win over Park, the Bobcats are now 6-2 since 2018 when playing a team for the first time in program history.

Looking ahead, the Bobcats play their second most familiar opponent in program history when Cal Maritime comes to town on Thursday, February 3. Capacity will be limited to the first 100 UC Merced campus community members (students/faculty/staff). Tipoff inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium is scheduled for 7:30pm.