Merced Bears (Merced, CA) backers were in high spirits Wednesday as they witnessed their basketball squad thwart the host Pitman Pride (Turlock, CA), 71-55 in a league bout.

With the win, Merced upgrades its record to 16-9 on the season. The Bears travel to Atwater (Atwater, CA) to clash with the Falcons in a Central California Conference bout on Friday, February 6. The Falcons go into the bout with a record of 10-15. Atwater lost 59-46 in their recent league bout against Golden Valley (Merced, CA)

Next up, the Pride clash with the Buhach Colony Thunder (Atwater, CA) in a Central California Conference bout, on Friday, February 6. Pitman will attempt to upgrade on its 11-11 season record. The Thunder go into the bout with a 2-22 record after their 73-59 league loss to Turlock (Turlock, CA).