Fans at Monday's league challenge between the Merced Bears (Merced, CA) and the visiting Pitman Pride (Turlock, CA), saw Merced's basketball squad knock off Pitman by a count of 51-35.

With the victory, Merced upgrades its record to 12-5 on the campaign. The Bears travel to El Capitan (Merced, CA) to play the Gauchos in a Central California Conference challenge on Wednesday, January 11. The Gauchos come into the battle with a record of 10-7. El Capitan won 81-78 in their recent league battle against Golden Valley (Merced, CA)

The Pride (10-6) will now prepare for their battle against Buhach Colony (Atwater, CA). The Thunder come into the Central California Conference battle with a 11-6 record. In their last battle, Buhach Colony dropped by Merced (Merced, CA), 58-45, in a league battle.