MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women's basketball team battled back to take a lead inside the final minute, but Cal State San Bernardino answered with a clutch shot of their own and sank free throws to beat the Bobcats 58-54 on Sunday afternoon inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.
The Bobcats (3-8, 0-4) trailed by six points with three minutes left before using a 7-0 run to go up 54-53 with 54 seconds on the clock capped by a Sarina Nagra free throw. CSUSB hit a three-pointer on the other end before forcing a turnover and knocking down foul shots to improve to 2-2 in the league.
Nicole Lukito delivered 15 points and eight rebounds to lead the Bobcats fight. She hit a triple with 90 seconds left to tie the game 53-53. With her scoring output, the Bobcats junior passed Mia Shannon for sixth in program history with 874 career points.
Paloma Ramirez finished with 14 points, three rebounds, and two assists. She also extended her steals streak to five straight games, as she had one takeaway.
Nagra made her 100th career three-pointer on her way to a 12-point outing. She was five-for-six at the free throw line and also grabbed four rebounds.
Jazzy Beltran tallied a career-high seven assists.
Other notables include eight rebounds and three assists from Quinn Godfrey, five points from Mariah Flores, and two steals each from Elise LeBeau and Ixchel Rojo Valdez.
Defensively, UC Merced held Cal State San Bernardino to 34% shooting overall and 25% from downtown. Both shooting percentages were the lowest by an opponent against UC Merced since November 21.
CSUSB led 6-5 at the first quarter media timeout before both teams picked up the pace. Ramirez put the Bobcats in front for the first time at 7-6, marking the first of six lead changes over the next 2+ minutes. The Bobcats were ahead 11-10 after a Lukito layup but the Coyotes closed the quarter on a 5-0 burst to take a two-possession lead into the second, 15-11.
The Bobcats gave up a three-pointer to start the second quarter and the seven-point deficit would end up matching the biggest deficit of the game. UC Merced hit four free throws, but the Bobcats were held without a field goal until the 3:25 mark when Godfrey found Nagra on a backdoor cut that got the deficit down to just three points, 20-17. Lukito got the Bobcats within a point with two minutes left, 22-21, which was the final point for either team in the first half.
The two teams traded triples to start the third quarter, with Ramirez and Nagra both connecting for UC Merced to put the home team up 27-25 after two possessions. Head coach Kellie Bernard's squad opened the quarter on a 14-6 run overall to match the game-high lead of seven points. The run, capped by another Ramirez three-pointer, had UC Merced on top 35-28 just four minutes in. However, a 6-0 Coyotes burst and a 9-2 run overall tied the game shortly after. Tied 39-39 with 90 seconds left in the period, three lead changes followed with Rojo Valdez giving the Bobcats a 43-42 lead heading to the final frame.
CSUSB opened the fourth quarter on a 9-1 run over the first five minutes to match the game-high seven point lead again. Similar to the second quarter, the Bobcats were on a field goal drought but remained in the game with strong defense and earning trips to the foul line. Rojo Valdez broke through for UC Merced with 2:40 left to make it a 53-49 game. Three straight defensive stops allowed the Bobcats to rally which Lukito answered the call on the offensive end with a free throw and then a clutch three-pointer to tie the game inside of 90 seconds. Rojo Valdez then collected a steal and Nagra was fouled, converting one of her two foul shots to put the Bobcats up 54-53 under a minute. UC Merced didn't score again.
Yotes' sharpshooter Rebecca Saidoff buried a three on the other end and then CSUSB forced a turnover that ultimately helped win the vistors the game. CSUSB hit both free throws after the steal and the Bobcats ran out of time.
Despite the loss, UC Merced has held back-to-back opponents under 60 points for the first time this season.
Up next, UC Merced will play an exhibition game at UC Riverside on Tuesday, December 30 at SRC Arena in Riverside, Calif. Tipoff is set for 2:00pm.
