MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's basketball team had Cal State San Bernardino on the ropes, but the Bobcats were edged in the final seconds 61-60 on Sunday afternoon inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium
The Bobcats (3-5, 1-3) led 56-48 inside of four minutes before CSUSB stormed back by turning defense into offense. CSUSB, who has played in two of the last three NCAA Division II final fours, collected four steals in the final stretch and took a 60-58 lead with 1:12 to go.
Despite the 12-2 Coyotes run, UC Merced pulled even and then got a defensive stop to get the ball back in the front court tied 60-60 with 21 seconds remaining. Looking to play for the last shot, the Bobcats started their action with 8 seconds left but the Yotes jumped a pass and turned it into a fast break opportunity, getting fouled with 4.1 on the clock. The Yotes split the free throws, but one was enough to come away with the 61-60 road win.
Sterling McClanahan came off the bench to lead the Bobcats efforts with 15 points on 75% (3-4) shooting from beyond the arc. His three triples marked a season-high. He also had four rebounds and a steal.
Jaden Hubbard finished with eleven points, four rebounds, and two assists. The freshman has double digit points in four straight games.
Elijah Charles had ten points, six rebounds, a career-high three blocks, three assists, and two steals. Charles has combined for at least four blocks/steals in back-to-back games.
Jon Taylor tied his career-high with eight points.
Myles Haynes hauled in a career-high nine rebounds and scored six points on three-of-four shooting.
Other notables include a career-high five rebounds for Cyprus Graham and a block from Austin Dewes.
The Bobcats took a few minutes to get going offensively after the opening tip but recovered quickly following an 11-4 deficit. UC Merced answered with a 10-2 run with a couple second chance baskets and it was a Jordan Bateman slam dunk that gave the Bobcats their first lead of the game at 14-13.
UC Merced led 16-14 midway through the first half but didn't score again until under four minutes. CSUSB took a 21-16 lead in the timeframe before McClanahan ended the scoring drought. Including that bucket, UC Merced used a 9-4 run in the final four minutes to go into the locker room tied 25-25.
Hubbard scored on the opening possession of the second half and the Bobcats either led or were tied for the first eleven minutes. The Bobcats led by six points, 41-35, after a McClanahan triple at the 12:20 mark. Head coach Gary Stewart's team led by five on a couple occasions after that before a 7-0 CSUSB spurt over a three-minute stretch gave the Yotes a 47-45 lead with 8:33 to go.
The Bobcats rattled off six unanswered points to gain momentum back, including back-to-back buckets from Taylor. The 6-0 burst extended to an 11-1 run, capped by another McClanahan make from distance, to give the Bobcats their biggest lead of the game at 56-48 at the under four-minute media timeout.
However, CSUSB picked up its defensive intensity and came away with the four turnovers down the stretch to lead the game-ending 13-4 run and win their second straight CCAA game after starting the conference slate 0-2. CSUSB scored on seven of its final eight possessions, while limiting the Bobcats to just two field goal attempts in the stretch.
Despite the loss, UC Merced shot over 50% for the second straight game finishing with a .510 field goal percentage.
UC Merced also had a +14 advantage on the glass, but lost the turnover battle 19-7. The Bobcats held the Coyotes under 40% from the floor.
Up next, UC Merced will host Cal State San Marcos on Friday, January 2. Tipoff from the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium is scheduled for 7:30pm.
