LA VERNE, CA — Monica Garcia Silva scored 20 points, Bailey Kurahashi and Angie Steel each added 10 points, but the University of La Verne women's basketball team couldn't hold off a fourth-quarter surge by UC Merced, falling to the Bobcats 90-70 in a nonconference match-up Friday evening.

Season Impact

The Leopards move to 6-4 overall this season. UC Merced improves to 12-3.

Garcia Silva added her third double-double of the season, grabbing 12 boards to go with her 20 points. The junior also dished out four assists and added a pair of steals. Garcia currently leads the SCIAC with 20.7 points per game and ranks second with 186 total points.

Kurahashi added three three-pointers in the effort. The senior is tied for second in the conference with 30 total triples. Kurahashi added a game-high six assists, four rebounds, and a steal.

Brittany McDaniel had a solid game off the bench scoring eight and blocking three shots. The Diamond Bar native ranks second in the conference with 22 total blocks. Maggie Lamas had an impactful performance finishing with nine points. Alexa Withers scored eight points off 4-5 shooting. 

The Bobcats were led by Mia Belvin's game-high 32 points and Rainah Smith's 15 points.  

The Leopards had one of their best starts of the season, jumping out to a 21-13 lead at end of the first quarter. But the Bobcats took over from there, taking a four-point lead at the break after Belvin went off for 17 points in the second quarter.

Turnovers hurt the Leopards as UC Merced was able to turn 22 giveaways into 32 points. 

Next Game

The Leopards are back in action tomorrow when they host San Diego Christian at 4 p.m.