SAN MARCOS, Calif. - The University of California, Merced women's basketball team allowed their fewest amount of points of the season, but were edged 57-53 at University of Saint Katherine on Thursday night in the first Cal Pac road game of the season.

The Bobcats (3-6, 3-1) limited the opponent to just three three-point field goals and outrebounded the Firebirds 33-27 to put up a good effort in slowing down a Saint Katherine team that had scored at least 76 points in their last four Cal Pac wins dating back to last season.

Offensively, UC Merced cashed in a season-high eleven three-point field goals. Head coach Kellie Bernard's team's early barrage from downtown had UC Merced in front for a good portion of the game and by as many as 15 points early in the second quarter before ultimately falling.

Saint Katherine, who also entered the contest perfect in the early goings of Cal Pac play, erased the double figure deficit to take a fourth quarter lead that was lost just once when Paloma Ramirez knocked down a go-ahead triple with under a minute to go. Saint Katherine followed with a triple of their own and knocked down a few free throws in the closing seconds to seal the victory.

Victoria Farris led all players with 20 points on 58% (7-12) shooting for her second straight 20-point effort. Farris splashed a career-high three triples in the setback.

Tiffany Nguyen made a career-high five three-point field goals en-route to a career-high 16 points. UC Merced's point guard also tied her career-high with six assists. Nguyen has at least five assists in three consecutive games.

Ramirez scored eight points to go along with three rebounds and two assists.

Damilola Sule and Deyliana Lewis cashed in one field goal and hauled in 15 and 12 rebounds, respectively. Lewis also had three assists, a steal, and a block.

Gabby Martini scored four points.

UC Merced's first four makes were all from downtown to take a 12-8 lead after six minutes of action. Up 15-11 in the closing three minutes of the first quarter, Lewis got a bucket to spark a 7-0 quarter ending run that had the Bobcats up 22-11 after one.

Nguyen buried two three-pointers in the first two minutes of the second quarter to give the Bobcats a game-high 15-point lead at 28-13. The Bobcats held a double-figure lead for the next six minutes and led by eight points at halftime, 33-25.

Farris played a big role in keeping the Bobcats up by at least three possessions for a portion of the third quarter, but Saint Katherine started their final push early and the Bobcats deficit was cut to just one at quarter's end. 

Saint Katherine then scored on their first possession of the fourth quarter to grab its first lead since the first three minutes of the game. They went up 49-44 at the peak of their run. Scoring slowed after that as the Bobcats held the Firebirds without a point for the next five minutes. However, the Bobcats scored just once during the Firebirds drought. Saint Katherine stayed in front until Ramirez's triple with a minute left to put the Bobcats up 52-51. Saint Katherine answered with a triple of their own which ended up being the final lead change of the night.

UC Merced had two chances before the final horn to tie the game or take the lead but were unable to convert. Saint Katherine knocked down two foul shots with a second left on the clock to finish off the win and stay perfect in Cal Pac play.

UC Merced finished the night shooting 35% (18-51) from the floor, 33% (11-33) from downtown and 38% (6-16) from the foul line.

The Bobcats loss snapped a program-record 14 game Cal Pac winning streak dating back to the 2019-20 season.

Up next, UC Merced has a quick turnaround and plays at Westcliff University on Friday, December 9 at 5:30pm. The game will be played at the Jordan Lawley Facility in Irvine, Calif.