RIO GRANDE, Ohio – The University of California, Merced women's basketball team fell 99-62 to #9 University of Rio Grande on Saturday on day one of the Woods Lumber Classic.

Rio Grande marked the Bobcats (1-1) highest ranked opponent since playing The Master's University in the national tournament in 2022.

Freshman Nicole Lukito led the Bobcats efforts against the Red Storm with 12 points and eleven rebounds for her first career double-double. She shot 71% from the floor and cashed in her lone three-point attempt. Lukito also blocked a shot.

Emily Perez scored eleven points and dished out four assists, while Sarina Nagra pitched in nine points. Both guards also had a steal.

Megan Williams grabbed eight boards, three on the offensive end, and added six points.

Other notables include three assists from Imani Johnson and two steals from Jazzy Beltran.

UC Merced scored on their first three possessions before getting slowed down. Paloma Ramirez buried a three-pointer to put the Bobcats up 7-3, marking the Bobcats biggest lead of the game.

Rio Grande followed with a 19-4 run over the next seven minutes to start creating their separation and the Woods Lumber Classic host went on to lead 27-16 at the end of the first quarter.

Rio Grande started the next frame on a 9-2 run. Trailing by 18 after the surge, the Bobcats managed to stay within 20 for the rest of the half and cut the deficit to 13 points at 41-28 following a Perez steal and score. It was a 49-34 Bobcats deficit at halftime.

The deficit was between 15 and 20 points for the first six minutes of the third quarter before Rio Grande took over for good, extending their lead to 73-47 by quarter's end. The Bobcats were unable to cut into the deficit the rest of the day.

Up next, the Bobcats will play Rochester University in Rio Grande, Ohio, to finish the Woods Lumber Classic on Sunday, November 5 at 10:00am PST.