OAKLAND, Calif. - The University of California, Merced women's basketball team lost 64-39 to NCAA Division II opponent Holy Names University on Sunday afternoon.

Despite the loss, the Bobcats (0-2) won the offensive rebound battle for the second straight contest and earned 15 more trips to the charity stripe.

Deyliana Lewis led the Bobcats with 15 points and eleven rebounds for her second straight double-double. 

Freshman Paloma Ramirez neared double figures with nine points supported by her 83% (5-6) mark at the charity stripe. Ramirez also grabbed a career-high eleven rebounds, notched two steals, and blocked a shot. Five of Ramirez's rebounds were hauled in on the offensive glass.

Nia Smiley added five points and six rebounds in her 2022-23 debut. 

Other notables include three assists and a steal from Tiffany Nguyen, and four rebounds and a steal from Aislyn Dora in her 2022-23 debut.

UC Merced's top highlight in the run of the play was a 14-5 run that started with four minutes left in the first quarter and carried into the early stages of the second quarter that gave the Bobcats a 15-12 lead. Eight of UC Merced's points came at the free throw line. Ramirez had six points overall in the Bobcats top stretch.

The Bobcats also led 18-17 before the game turned in the Hawks favor. 

The Bobcats trailed 32-21 at halftime and remained within striking distance heading into the fourth quarter down 47-34, but that was as close as head coach Kellie Bernard's team would come the rest of the way before ultimately falling 64-39.

Up next, UC Merced will continue their road stretch at Fresno Pacific University on Tuesday, November 15 at 5:00pm.