FULLERTON, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women's basketball team fell 71-61 to Hope International University on Thursday night.
Nicole Lukito led the Bobcats (4-8) with 17 points and 21 rebounds, marking her ninth double-double of the season and 22nd of her career. UC Merced's all-time double-double's leader is now tied for fifth in California Pacific Conference history with her 22 double-double's. Lukito shot 58% (7-12) from the floor, connected on her only three-point attempt of the night, and made both free throws. Her 20+ rebound game was her second of the year. She also blocked a shot and notched a steal.
Paloma Ramirez scored a season-high ten points and shot 66% (2-3) from downtown. Her two three-pointers moved her ahead of Tiffany Nguyen for ninth in program history with 57 career triples.
Sarina Nagra and Mariah Flores pitched in seven points apiece, while Leilani Blecha and Madison Diaz added six points each. All four Bobcats hit at least one three-pointer.
Other notables include four assists from Jazzy Beltran and two steals from Elise LeBeau.
The Bobcats got off to a slow start falling behind 13-2 less than five minutes in. UC Merced fell behind by as many as 14 points soon after at 21-7 and trailed 27-13 at the end of the first quarter. Lukito had eight of the Bobcats first 13 points.
UC Merced trailed by 15 points on three occasions early in the second quarter, including 35-20 midway through the frame before a Nagra triple sparked a 7-0 run. Beltran then proved to be key in the moments leading to intermission and it was an eight-point game at halftime, 37-29 with Hope in front. Head coach Kellie Bernard's team held Hope to just 25% shooting in the quarter.
However, the deficit hit 15 points again in the third quarter as the Bobcats were held to just one field goal in the first five minutes. The Bobcats had to work their way back, cutting the deficit to nine points at 46-39 with 3:34 left. Then trailing 50-37, UC Merced used an 8-0 run capped off by a Ramirez triple to close the gap to five points. HIU held a 52-45 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Ramirez connected again from downtown 90 seconds into the fourth to make it a four-point game, 54-50. UC Merced remained within seven points for the next five minutes, but couldn't pull any closer than two possessions down the stretch. HIU finished strong with points on six of their final eight trips down the floor, stretching its lead back to nine points a couple times and then to as many as 13 points after four consecutive free throws with the shot clock turned off.
UC Merced finished the night shooting 34% from the floor, 28% from downtown, and 66% from the charity stripe.
The Bobcats forced 12 Royal turnovers and 17 fouls. The Bobcats 18 free throw attempts were their most since November 25.
Up next, the Bobcats will host Nobel University on Saturday, January 4 at 5:30pm inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.
