After being nearly doubled up by visiting El Capitan at halftime, Manteca came out of the locker room to start the third period on a 9-2 run and narrowed the deficit to five points going into the final quarter.
The Buffaloes would get no closer and lost the non-league tilt, 59-45.
“In the second half, we came out and played the game we were supposed to play,” Manteca coach Oscar Calix said. “We like to bring pressure, play quick and be aggressive, and in the second half we showed what team we really can be.”
The Buffaloes (2-4) turned the ball over 29 times, but only three times in the third period.
“Turnovers have killed us all season,” Calix said. “And every day we try to make progress limiting turnovers, and that is something we need to work on. As long as the girls keep getting better every day, we will be all right.”
Kalaja Reese led Manteca with 15 points – six in the third quarter – along with six steals, three rebounds, three assists and a block. Saniyah Anthony added nine points with seven rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal with seven points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks for Jaesha Dunn.
Alexis Valenzuela was the heart and soul of the offense for El Capitan (10-0) from Merced totaling 28 points, with 13 coming in the fourth period behind nine free throws.
“She’s a freshman guard,” Gauchos coach Tyler Dietz-Powers said of Valenzuela. “I have coached her since the second grade and she is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen, always in the gym and I am happy she is finally able to show the world what she can do.
“We are 10-0 now with big wins off Grant, East Union and Manteca.”
The Buffaloes start the Gregori Tournament in Modesto on Thursday afternoon against Escalon at 4:30.
Junior varsity
El Capitan 47, Manteca 34
Maleiah Garza scored 23 points with six rebounds, two steals and a block for the Buffaloes and Krystal Ramirez added seven points, five rebounds, and assists and a steal.
Freshman
Manteca 65, El Capitan 14
Myah Hayter flirted with a triple double for the Buffaloes with 21 points, eight rebounds, and seven steals.
Sadie DeCosta added 16 points and three steals with Jillienne DeCosta chipping in 14 points with six rebounds and six steals.
