Merced College women’s basketball team headed to Sierra for NorCal Regional

Allen Huddleston said it might be the biggest challenge his team has faced this season.

The last time his Merced College women’s basketball team visited Sierra for a NorCal Regional game, the Lady Devils lost 75-59 in the first round in 2011. And this season’s Sierra squad might be one of the best in school history.

On Monday, Merced received the No. 14 seed in the NorCal Regional and will travel to Rocklin on Friday to face the third-seeded Wolverines, the Big 8 Conference champions. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.

“They’re very talented, maybe the best team (coach Brandie Murrish has) had in 10 years,” said Huddleston, whose team finished the regular season 16-12 and tied for second in the Central Valley Conference at 8-4. “We have not seen them at all this year. We went to different tournaments, so it’ll be something new for both teams.

“They are led by an all-state post player (Destinee Bowie) that averages about 14 points and 10 rebounds per game. She’s going to be a big challenge, but what worries me most is all the depth that they have and whether or not we can match up with it.”

The good news for Huddleton is that Merced is playing some of its best basketball of the season. The Lady Devils won four in a row and seven of their last nine to secure their place in the postseason.

Sophomore Mele Tupouata has been solid in the post, averaging 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds. Guards TaJaheray McMahan (9.1 points), Jovanah Arrington (11.2 points) and freshman forward Anntranetta Stickman (9.3 points) also have been steady contributors.

“A lot of the girls have put in extra time in the gym after practice, and it’s really paid off the last month,” Huddleston acknowledged. “Even still, we’re going to need to play one of our best games of the season to have a chance.”

Stumbling into conference play – The Merced College baseball team is off to one of its rougher starts in recent memory. The Blue Devils are 2-6 entering the start of CVC play Tuesday, when they host Taft at 2 p.m.

Pitching and defense are the hallmarks of the program, but Merced has struggled in both areas. The pitching staff has a 6.40 ERA, largely because of 47 walks in 71 2/3 innings. The defense has committed an uncharacteristic 27 errors in eight contests.

The good news for Merced is the offense has averaged just over six runs per game. If the Blue Devils can clean up some things, they should be in the CVC title chase.

Tourney time – For the first time in UC Merced’s young history, the men’s and women’s basketball teams will participate in the California Pacific Conference tournament.

The women’s team enters as the defending conference champion and, for the first time, the top seed. The Bobcats face No. 4 La Sierra at 2 p.m. Sunday in Vallejo.

The men, seeded fourth, meet top-seeded Cal Maritime at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. UC Merced handed the Keelhaulers one of their three conference losses this season.

Maritime is hosting both tournaments at its new gym in Vallejo. Should one or both UC Merced teams advance, the men’s championship game will be Feb. 29 and the women’s title game March 1.

This story was originally published February 22, 2016 at 6:57 PM with the headline "Merced College women’s basketball team headed to Sierra for NorCal Regional."