REDDING, Calif. – Mason Westlake drew a three-point foul and sunk all three free throws with a second left to cap off a 69-68 comeback road win at Simpson University on Friday night inside the James M. Grant Center.

The Bobcats (11-5, 7-3) trailed by 14 points with ten minutes left, outscoring the Red Hawks 21-6 in the final stretch to earn the win and match the program's best ever start in Cal Pac play through ten games.

Westlake's heroics were part of a 21-point night overall and he got the ball in his hands in the closing seconds after Simpson missed the front end of their bonus free throws. Westlake got to midcourt before having to launch to beat the buzzer. He was fouled on the play, putting him at the line with the chance to win the Bobcats the game. He did just that, swishing all three foul shots.

Westlake also tied his career-high with eight rebounds and was credited with two steals in the victory.

Kingsley Obiorah, who had five points in the final four minutes, finished with 10 on the night to go along with six rebounds and two blocks. Obiorah eclipsed 500 career rebounds with his efforts, becoming the third player in program history to accomplish that feat.

Cameron Brown scored ten points on 67% (4-6) shooting. Tiler Fears was good for seven points, while Josiah Ajiake scored five.

Other individual notables include six rebounds from Jaron Mertle, a block from Fears and a steal each from Obiorah, Chris Bramah, and Myles Haynes.

UC Merced scored the first four points of the night before Simpson countered with the next six, a preview of what would be a hard-fought game the rest of the way. Following two more lead changes, Simpson took a 21-18 lead that grew to nine points shortly after.

The Bobcats battled back with the help of six points from Brown to take a 35-34 lead inside the final two minutes of the first half. However, the Bobcats trailed 41-35 at intermission.

The Bobcats were playing catchup the rest of the way, falling behind by double figures early in the second half and trailed by at least eight points until there was 5:57 to go in regulation. From there, Head coach Kevin Pham's squad held Simpson to just two field goals the rest of the way and without a point for the final two minutes and 25 seconds.

Fears got to the rack and finished through traffic to cut the Bobcats deficit down to one possession in the final minute. After each teams traded defensive stops, the Bobcats had a chance to win it with ten seconds left. Although they came up empty the first time, the Bobcats immediately put Simpson at the foul line with three seconds left, and then Westlake grabbed a huge rebound on the miss and quickly got to halfcourt where he drew the game-winning three-point foul. Westlake knocked down all three shots, with his final free throw putting the Bobcats ahead 69-68 and marking the Bobcats first lead since the first half. After Westlake quieted the Red Hawks crowd, Simpson threw up a full-court heave that didn't come close officially putting an end to the game.

UC Merced finished the night shooting 46% (28-61) from the floor, 25% (4-16) from downtown, and 69% (9-13) from the free throw line. Also of note, the Bobcats committed a season-low six turnovers.

Friday night's contest got moved up a day in order to beat the upcoming storms and potential flooding that was projected to affect travel. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday.

Looking ahead, UC Merced plays at Pacific Union College on Thursday, January 19 inside The Covered Wagon in Angwin, Calf. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30pm.