VALLEJO, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women's basketball team turned in their best all-around performance of the season to beat Cal Maritime 76-54 and win their first California Pacific Conference game on Wednesday night.
The Bobcats (2-6, 1-2) 76 points marked a season-high. UC Merced also recorded season-best's with a .438 field goal percentage and a .421 three-point field goal percentage. Defensively, UC Merced's 54 points allowed marked the fewest points allowed through their first eight games of the season.
UC Merced's win was their first since the season opener on November 2.
Emily Perez led the Bobcats with 19 points in the victory in part due to three triples and four made free throws.
Nicole Lukito recorded her second double-double of the year with a season-high 14 points and eleven rebounds, six offensive rebounds. The freshman made four of her six field goal attempts and all six of her free throws. She also had a season-high three steals.
Paloma Ramirez added 13 points on 3-4 shooting from beyond the arc, while Sarina Nagra scored ten points and hit two of her three three-pointers. Ramirez, who passed Samantha Oshiro for tenth in program history with 50 career three-point makes, also grabbed five rebounds and blocked a shot.
Jazzy Beltran recorded four steals and three assists.
Other notables include seven points and five rebounds from Megan Williams, eight rebounds from Niamey Guillory, and four rebounds from Faith Mucheru.
The Bobcats splashed three triples within their first six possessions to set the tone early and led 13-7 at the first quarter media timeout. Out of the 75-second break, the Bobcats surged ahead with a 13-2 run to lead 26-9 at the end of the frame. The Bobcats held the Keelhaulers scoreless for the final four minutes of the quarter.
The Bobcats were just as sharp in the second quarter and carried a 48-16 lead into halftime. The second quarter success was highlighted by a 50% shooting mark and a 16-3 rebounding advantage. Lukito had six points and four rebounds in the period.
The 32-point halftime lead was the Bobcats biggest on the road since February 8, 2021.
The Bobcats also led by 32 points at 50-18 and maintained a lead of at least 24 points for the entire third quarter.
Head coach Kellie Bernard's team was up 72-43 at the last media timeout en route to snapping their six-game losing skid and finishing with a 76-54 win.
UC Merced has won 15 consecutive games against the Keelhaulers dating back to 2015.
Looking ahead, UC Merced will play at Pacific Union College on Friday, December 8 at 12:00pm in Angwin, Calif.
