MERCED, Calif. – The visiting Bushnell University men's basketball team fell to the University of California, Merced 67-59 on Saturday evening in a non-conference contest at the Gallo Recreation Center.

Head Coach Eddie Alexander said, "We continue to play hard but are struggling on the offensive end. Guys know what they need to do, and now it's a matter of being accountable to the expectations. We are going to do all we can to get after it tomorrow against Cal Maritime."
 
Bushnell drops to 3-6 on the season after shooting a season-low 32.8% from the field. The Bobcats (3-5) shot 46.5% from the floor and led from nearly start to finish, trailing only after the opening basket.
 
The Beacons trailed 38-35 five and a half minutes into the second half before a 10-0 Bobcat run brought the deficit out to double-digits. UC Merced grabbed its largest lead, 57-43, with six minutes to go before Bushnell started climbing back into the contest. Luke Smith hit three three-pointers in the final two minutes to bring the margin down to six, but the comeback fell short.
 
Kaden Sand finished with 12 points to lead the Beacons. Stevie Schlabach and Drayton Caoile recorded 10 points apiece, while Smith added nine in the final two-minute stretch. Dillon Young secured a game-high eight rebounds.  
 
UC Merced was led by Tiler Fears who scored a game-high 16 points, 14 of which came at the free throw line. Jayson Wiltz added 14 points for the Bobcats.
 
Bushnell has a quick turnaround as the team heads to Vallejo, Calif. to take on California State University – Maritime tomorrow at 2 p.m.