MESA, Ariz. – The University of California, Merced women's basketball team fell 77-73 to Park University Gilbert in game one of a three-game Arizona road trip on Thursday night at Bell Bank Park.

The Bobcats (7-11, 7-6) 73 points marked the highest in a loss this season. Playing in another tight ballgame, the Bobcats had the chance to tie or win the game at the buzzer but an offensive foul gave Park Gilbert the basketball back and they knocked down both foul shots leaving just three seconds left for the Bobcats to make up four points. Prior that, the Bobcats overcame a double figure third quarter deficit.

Reigning and 3X Cal Pac Player of the Week Damilola Sule led all players with 23 points and 17 rebounds in her 13th double-double of the season. Sule's second rebound of the night broke the program's single-season rebounding record originally set by Brittany Martinez in the 2016-17 season. Sule heads into the rest of the season with 236 rebounds. The Bobcats sophomore also tied Mia Shannon for the most career double-double's (13). Four of Sule's last six double-double's have consisted of at least 20 points and 17 rebounds. Offensively, Sule shot 77% (10-13) from the floor and made her final six field goals on Thursday night.

Deyliana Lewis stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, a block, and a steal. She moved up UC Merced's record books in two different categories on her way to registering her second straight double-double. The Stockton, Calif., native passed Courtney Danna for sixth with 393 career rebounds, while passing Deja Jackson for tenth all-time with 25 career double figure scoring efforts.

Victoria Farris put together a solid effort with 16 points, giving her 15+ points in both outings against the Buccaneers this season. She knocked down two triples late to give the Bobcats a fighting chance.

Tiffany Nguyen and Paloma Ramirez scored seven points each. The two also had three assists and three offensive rebounds, respectively.

Seven Bobcats recorded a steal, including all five starters in addition to Faith Mucheru and Nia Smiley off the bench.

UC Merced started fast, and six early Sule points had head coach Kellie Bernard's team ahead 8-2. The Bobcats held their lead through the end of the quarter, although it shrunk to just two points at 17-15.

Park Gilbert took their first lead of the game with a three-point play just over two minutes into the second quarter. Mucheru quickly put the Bobcats back on top, but Park followed with a 9-3 run that allowed the Buccaneers to take their first two-possession advantage. The two teams traded baskets the rest of the half, with the home team leading 33-28 at intermission.

Park Gilbert opened the third quarter on a 6-0 run and shortly after grabbed the game's biggest lead of the night at 42-30 midway through the frame. Lewis was key in keeping the Bobcats in the game, scoring eight points in a hurry and ultimately pulling her team back even with the Bucs by the end of the quarter, 51-51.

The fourth quarter went back and forth with no team leading by more than four points until the final 40 seconds. UC Merced led 57-55 with seven and a half minutes to go, while also leading by two points at 63-61 with six minutes to play. Sule was responsible for giving the Bobcats both leads. Sule also scored at the 4:20 mark, however that was the Bobcats last field goal until she scored again with 19 seconds left. However, the Bobcats defense was stout in the scoring drought and UC Merced trailed by just a possession after the stretch. The Bobcats then played the foul game and managed to stay alive with two Farris three-pointers.

UC Merced had the basketball down 75-73 with five seconds left, but turned the ball over and then Park Gilbert cashed two free throws to essentially ice the game, 77-73.

UC Merced finished the night shooting 41% (28-69) from the field and 81% (13-16) from the foul line. The 81% mark at the charity stripe is the highest on the road this season.

Also of note, the Bobcats won the rebounding battle 42-34 in the first road contest ever against the Buccaneers.

Looking ahead, the Bobcats play at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Friday, January 27 at 4:30pm PST in Prescott, Ariz.