SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's basketball team fell 74-60 to Dominican on Tuesday night in the nonconference finale inside the Conlan Center.

Sterling McClanahan led the Bobcats (2-2) efforts with a team season-high and a career-high 22 points. He also grabbed four rebounds.

Pawllos Habtom finished with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Austin Dewes scored seven points and tied his career-high with four blocks. He also grabbed three rebounds.

Jon Taylor added a career-high eight points and a steal, while Cyprus Graham pitched in five points and a steal. Elijah Charles was good for nine rebounds, four points, and a block.

The game was tied 4-4 before Dominican used an 11-0 run over a six-minute stretch to take the first double digit lead of the game, 15-4 midway through the first half. The Bobcats cut the deficit to within ten points a couple times shortly after, but the Penguins put together another 11-0 run to extend their lead to 28-9 with five minutes to go before halftime.

UC Merced's deficit reached a game-high 21 points at 34-13. However, McClanahan and Taylor both converted three-point plays to finish the half as the Bobcats trailed 34-19 at intermission.

The teams traded baskets over the first ten minutes of the second half with UC Merced trailing 54-37 after ten minutes. Austin Dewes cut the deficit down to 12 points a few minutes later and the Bobcats made it a 68-58 with 2:05 to play.

The Bobcats were unable to get any closer than ten points before falling 74-60.

UC Merced shot 44% in the second half compared to 27% in the first half to try and battle back. Dominican finished the night shooting 50% for the entire game but the Bobcats did hold the Penguins to just 23% (3-13) from beyond the arc.

UC Merced forced 12 turnovers but committed 17.

Up next, the Bobcats will open CCAA play at Chico State on Thursday, December 4. Tipoff from Acker Gym is scheduled for 7:30pm in Chico, Calif.