SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Allyssa Weatherd scored a career-high 21 points and Sarah Nelson was two blocks shy of a triple-double as the Penguins cruised to their first victory of the season, a 69-44 non-conference contest over UC Merced on Saturday.

Jessy Marshall's three-pointer gave the Penguins the lead on their first possession of the game and Dominican led wire-to-wire, growing the lead to as large as 13 in the first half and eight at halftime.

Dominican quickly grew the lead in the second half and six minutes into the second half doubled the lead on a Lauren Hyatt layup. Hyatt completed the three-point play to push the lead to 17, 46-29. The lead never dwindled past 13 as Dominican limited the Bobcats to two points over the final seven minutes.

The Penguins worked the ball inside for 20 points in the paint. Nelson had 11 points and Hyatt added 10. When they didn't have a shot inside, the Penguins spread the defense, getting eight points apiece from guards Jessy Marshall and Carly Holboke, plus six points from Jade Castro. At the defensive end, Nelson swatted away eight balls and had a careeer-high 17 rebounds.

Brittany Martinez added 10 points for the Bobcats.

Dominican will look to even its record when the Penguins head to Sonoma State on Tuesday, Nov. 25 for a 6 p.m. non-conference contest.