The Manteca girls basketball team’s only lead Saturday night was at 4-2, as visiting Freedom pressed their way to a 51-39 win in the Manteca Christmas Showcase.

It was the last of five games hosted by the Buffaloes.

The press that Falcons (8-4) of Oakley relentlessly applied all night forced 25 turnovers by the Buffaloes (4-6).

“Turnovers have been killing us all year long,” Manteca coach Oscar Calix said. “It’s the same stuff over and over again – turnovers and not being able to take care of the ball. You are not going to be able to win basketball games that way.

“We’re just not playing good basketball. We’re not playing together, we’re not moving the ball, we’re just looking for the first shot, not the best shot. We’re normally good at beating presses but once we have to play the half-court game that’s where we struggle.”

The Buffaloes trailed by 19 going into the final period and thanks to an 11-4 final stanza Manteca trimmed the deficit to 12 points by the final buzzer.

Michailla Springs paced the Buffaloes, flirting with a double-double at 12 points and nine rebounds. Lana Bondoc added five points with four points and seven rebounds for Jaesha Dunn.

The Falcons boasted three players in double figures with Eve Monzon (17 points), Anisa Blalock (15) and Angelo De La O (11). Monzon tallied seven steals and De La O five.

“Defense is kind of part of our identity,” Freedom coach Richelle Najera said. “Our defense is what our team is made of.

“Turnovers is kind of what gets us going.”

Other results from the showcase:

* Ripon Christian 44, Destiny Christian 34

* Laguna Creek 48, Tracy 25

* Harker 47, Natomas 21

* California 45, Rio Linda 29

Manteca opens the Tracy Breakfast Lions Club Tournament on Friday morning at 10:30 at Tracy High School.