The University of California, Merced Women’s Basketball team won the California Pacific Conference Tournament Championship last Sunday afternoon, beating La Sierra University 60-56 inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium in Merced.
It is the Bobcats first tournament championship since 2022 and their fifth in program history (2015, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2025). UC Merced’s five tournament titles are tied for the second most in Cal Pac history.
UC Merced now earns an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships. The Bobcats, winners of a program-record 14 straight games, find out their first round opponent through the NAIA selection show on Thursday.
The NAIA National Championship First and Seconds Rounds are March 14-15.
Cal Pac Player of the Year Nicole Lukito led the way with 20 points, 17 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. She tied the California Pacific Conference single-season double-double’s record with her 21st of the season. Sarina Nagra scored eleven points, while Leilani Blecha and Megan Williams pitched in eight and six points, respectively.
Lukito scored the Bobcats final six points, including the go-ahead free throws with 42 seconds left. After Elise LeBeau blocked a La Sierra game-tying layup, Lukito hit two more free throws to put the Bobcats up 60-56 with 5 seconds left.
There were 10 lead changes and nine ties throughout the run of play.
• Men’s team falls in title game
Also last Sunday, UC Merced Men’s Basketball fell 64-53 to Westcliff in the Cal Pac Tournament Championship game in Merced. Cal Pac Player of the Year Cameron Brown notched his second consecutive double-double with 20 points and ten rebounds. Aidan Sevilla scored eleven points.
The Bobcat men will wait and see if they earn an at-large berth to the NAIA National Championships. UC Merced is 20-6 overall and won 14 consecutive games before the loss in the title game.