TURLOCK, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's basketball team beat Stanislaus State for the second time in three days, beating the Warriors 68-64 on the backend of the home-and-home series on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, the Bobcats (6-10, 4-8) have now won three consecutive games for the first time this season. Also of note, UC Merced has beat Stanislaus State three times in a row dating back to last season.
Sterling McClanahan led the Bobcats with 20 points shooting 54% (6-11) from the floor. The junior cashed in 60% (3-5) of his three-pointers and all five of his free throws in his fourth 20-point game of the season. McClanahan has buried multiple triples in four straight games. He also blocked a shot.
Myles Haynes scored a career-high 15 points to go along with four rebounds and two assists. He shot 55% (5-9) from the field, including connecting on one of his two attempts from downtown.
Pawllos Habtom added 12 points and four rebounds for his sixth double-figure scoring performance in his last seven games.
Elijah Charles finished with eight points and nine rebounds. He was 66% (4-6) from the floor, upping his CCAA leading rebounds per game and field goal percentage numbers.
Jaden Hubbard added nine points, while Jon Taylor had six rebounds and three steals. Cyprus Graham and Austin Dewes grabbed seven and four rebounds, respectively.
Haynes scored the first five points of the game to get UC Merced off to a quick start and defensively the Bobcats held Stanislaus State without a field goal for the first four minutes. However, the Warriors settled in and put together a 9-0 run to take the lead. Stan State's run turned into a 17-4 run over an eight-minute stretch as they built an 18-11 advantage.
McClanahan and Haynes responded with an 8-0 run to give the Bobcats the lead right back, 19-18. Both Bobcats had a three-point play in the burst. Three lead changes followed over the next 90 seconds and then the game was tied 24-24 inside of three minutes to play in the first half. Stanislaus State won the final three minutes, holding a 35-28 lead at intermission after scoring on five of its final seven possessions.
The two teams alternated buckets for the first five minutes of the second half before the Bobcats scored two unanswered field goals, including a Taylor layup to tie the game 40-40. The game was also tied 42-42 when McClanahan connected on a triple to give UC Merced its first lead of the second half, 45-42. He scored in the painted area the next trip down the floor to go up by two possessions for the first time since the opening minutes of the game.
Hubbard hit a three-pointer with 8:43 left that marked the Bobcats biggest lead of the game so far, 55-47. The Bobcats lead reached a game-high nine points at 60-51 after a Charles basket with five minutes to go.
UC Merced's lead was 66-58 inside of two minutes, but Stan State pulled within a possession with 21 seconds left. Hubbard was sent to the foul line and sealed the Bobcats win, 68-64.
UC Merced's defense was key again in the win, holding Stan State under 40% from the field and to just 17% (4-23) from downtown. UC Merced held a +9 advantage on the glass.
Up next, UC Merced will play at Cal State Monterey Bay on Thursday, January 29. Tipoff from the Kelp Bed in Seaside, Calif., is scheduled for 7:30pm.
