CARSON, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's basketball team lost 92-73 to Cal State Dominguez Hills on Thursday night inside the Torodome.

The Bobcats (3-8, 1-6) were unable to overcome a 59% shooting night from the Toros, who are the defending CCAA Champions and the 2025 NCAA Division II runner-up.

Elijah Charles turned in a big night with 21 points and a season-high 13 rebounds. It marked his fourth double-double performance of the season and sixth of his career, moving into a tie with Ryan Edwards and Cameron Brown for seventh in program history in the double-doubles category. Charles also blocked a shot and was credited with two assists.

Pawllos Habtom scored a career-high 18 points in part due to shooting 75% (9-12) at the charity stripe. The senior tied his career-high with nine rebounds and was one of three Bobcats with three assists.

Jaden Hubbard finished with 14 points while connecting three times from the three-point line.

Sterling McClanahan had eight points. Cyprus Graham pitched in six points to go along with a career-high tying six rebounds and three assists. Jon Taylor added three assists and a steal.

The Bobcats led 3-2 and 8-7 early in the game but had to play from behind for the final 36 minutes after that. UC Merced was within two possessions until the nine-minute mark of the first half when CSUDH took a 27-20 lead. The home team used an extended 16-5 run to go up by 13 points at 35-22 with seven minutes to go in the frame. The Bobcats fell behind by as many as 14 points in the opening act but were able to cut it down to ten points at intermission, 46-36. Charles nearly had a double-double at halftime with 15 points and nine rebounds.

The margin was between 9-12 points for the first six minutes of the second half before a Hubbard triple pulled the Bobcats within two possessions, 52-46. CSUDH responded with a 10-2 run to go back up by a then game-high 14 points with ten minutes to go. The Bobcats battle got tougher as they fell behind by 18 points inside of seven minutes and by 20 with five to go. UC Merced trailed by at least 16 the rest of the game.

Despite the loss, the Bobcats managed a season-high 16 assists and tied their season-high with 20 made free throws.

UC Merced was limited to a .353 field goal percentage, but still won the rebounding battle 40-34.

Up next, UC Merced will play at Cal State LA on Saturday, January 10. Tipoff from University Gym in Los Angeles is scheduled for 3:00pm.