Reedley College's shot at upsetting the Central Valley Conference women's basketball leader came up 23 points short on Saturday afternoon in Reedley.

Merced College improved to 10-1 in Conference play and 24-4 overall with an 85-62 victory over the Lady Tigers. Reedley dropped to 3-7 and 12-12.

Merced's Taja Henry McMahon netted 14 of her game high 27 points in the first half as the Blue Devils opened up a 47-31 halftime lead and cruised from there.

I'man Conley tried to keep the Lady Tigers close by netting 15 of her team-High 26 points in the first 20 minutes. Sophomores Nyla Curtis and Nay Nay Martin finished with 14 and 11 points, respectively.

Reedley closes out the season with a 5 pm Wednesday contest at Fresno City College before a 3 pm Saturday matchup at Porterville College.

By Will Goldbeck