SAN FRANCISCO – The University of California, Merced men's basketball team fell 74-69 to San Francisco State on Thursday night inside SFFCU Gymnasium.
Pawllos Habtom led the Bobcats (10-15, 8-13) with 23 points, his second straight 20-point game and his third of the year. He also had six rebounds, three assists, and a season-high tying three steals.
Elijah Charles recorded his 13th double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds. With his performance, he passed George Idehen for the second most double-doubles by any Bobcat in a single season and passed Jaron Mertle for the third most double-doubles in program history with 15 in his career. Charles also had two blocks and two assists. He passed Ryan Edwards for ninth in program history with 38 career blocks. Charles shot 50% (6-12) from the floor on Thursday.
Cyprus Graham added 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals in his third consecutive double-figure scoring performance.
Jon Taylor contributed seven points, three rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
Myles Haynes pitched in five points, three rebounds, and a steal. Jaden Hubbard scored four points, while Austin Dewes blocked a shot to tie Ronnie Kozak for fifth in program history with 49 career blocks.
The two teams traded buckets for the first five minutes of the game and it was a Hubbard three-pointer to give the Bobcats their first lead at 7-6. Two more lead changes followed before the Bobcats led for the final 13:26 of the first half.
UC Merced led 18-14 at the ten-minute mark and held a lead between 1-2 possessions for the next few minutes. Up 25-22, the Bobcats then used an 8-0 run capped by a Habtom triple to go up 33-22 with 4:29 to go in the first half. Habtom and Haynes combined for all eight points in the push.
UC Merced's lead was cut in half in the closing minutes of the period, holding a 36-31 lead at intermission.
Taylor hit a three-pointer 90 seconds into the second half to put the Bobcats up 40-33. SF State stayed within striking distance and cut the deficit to one on three occasions over the next eight minutes, including at 52-51 at the ten-minute mark. The Bobcats remained in front and six straight points from Charles extended the lead back to seven, 58-51 with 8:26 left.
However, the Gators responded with a 14-1 run over the next four minutes to lead 65-59. Graham snapped the Bobcats field goal drought at the three-minute mark and got fouled on the bucket, converting the free throw to finish the three-point play and make it a three-point game, 65-62.
The Bobcats shaved another point off the deficit and trailed 67-65 inside of 90 seconds, but SF State scored the next three points with a jump shot and a technical free throw to go up five points with 30 seconds to play. UC Merced still gave themselves a chance getting back within a possession twice, including at 72-69 with 4.4 seconds left, but SF State sealed the victory with two free throws to win it 74-69.
Despite the loss, the Bobcats committed just nine turnovers which is their fewest in a road game all season.
UC Merced wore special warm-up shirts in honor of "This Game is no Secret".
Up next, the Bobcats will play at No. 2 and CCAA Regular Season Champion Cal State East Bay in the season finale on Saturday, February 28. Tipoff from Pioneer Gymnasium in Hayward, Calif., is scheduled for 7:30pm.
