MANTECA — Missing four starters due to injury, the visiting Turlock girls basketball team was no match for Manteca on Monday as the host Buffaloes wrapped up non-league play with a 50-29 win at Winter Gymnasium.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs (6-7), Monday was the first game this year for Manteca transfer Loretta Kakala, who was dominating in limited time on the court, scoring seven points and grabbing five rebounds.
“Manteca played well,” Turlock coach Mark Musselman said. “That big girl (Kakala) is a ball player.
“They are well-coached and we didn’t execute our offense very well. We just have to get better.”
Faith Pattee (four rebounds) and Caitlyn Duval (five rebounds) each scored their team-leading seven points apiece in the second half. Brianna Youngman added six points and Sianna Cruz five.
Manteca (6-5) led by 29-11 at halftime and Rubel Dehal had three quick steals in the third quarter to help keep Turlock out of the game.
Leah Manuleleua got six of her eight points in the first period and finished with five rebounds and four steals for Manteca. Lejla Pepic led all scorers with nine points.
The Buffaloes forced 26 turnovers and led by a whopping 47-19 after three periods before emptying the bench in the fourth quarter.