MERCED – The Cal State Monterey Bay women's basketball team continued its winning ways to open the New Year by picking up a convincing, 61–48, road win over UC Merced on Sunday at the Gallo Gymnasium.
 
The Otters took control early and maintained their lead in all four quarters, starting with a 21–14 first quarter that set the tone, boasting a 36-20 advantage at the intermission.
 
CSUMB shot 41.5 percent from the field and made 12-of-19 free throws, which helped sustain its advantage when the game tightened in the second half.
 
Jennifer Moreno Ortiz led the Otters offensively with 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting, including two made three-pointers. Riley Walls contributed nine points and added energy on the boards, while Leah Sarabia finished with eight points and eight rebounds, anchoring CSUMB's presence inside.
 
Malaysia Lucero also scored eight points, and Janelle Peña added seven to round out the scoring threat. Jayden McNeal provided five points off the bench and Aliyah Young chipped in three as CSUMB spread its production across multiple players.
 
The Otters finished with 37 rebounds and forced 12 UC Merced turnovers, turning defensive stops into transition opportunities and key points.
 
Defensively, the Otters limited UC Merced to 34.5 percent shooting and just two made threes on 15 attempts.
 
CSUMB will continue its road swing when the Otters head south to face Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino next weekend.