The San Marcos girls basketball team played Channel League powerhouse Buena toe-to-toe in the first half on Tuesday, but the injury-depleted Royals lost a little steam in the second half, falling to the Bulldogs 58-34 in the Channel League opener for both teams.
Jeannette Mendoza had a team-high 17 points for San Marcos, which entered the locker room at halftime locked into a 20-20 tie.
“We had an awesome first half,” said Royals coach Kristyn Miller, who said her team tired in the second half due to a short bench.
But Miller took away plenty of positives. The Royals did a good job on limiting the Bulldogs’ leading scorer Holly Holcomb to eight points. Unfortunately for San Marcos, Keani Albanez made up the scoring slack, heating up in the second half and finishing with a game-high 18 points. Buena outscored San Marcos 38-14 in the second half to take the game.
The Royals fall to 5-11 overall and Buena improves to 12-6.
There is good news for the Royals on the injury front. Kalley Ridgway – out the entire season so far – practiced for the first time this week. Marissa Unzueta recently stopped wearing her protective boot and will be starting to work her way back. Vanessa Curiel is day-to-day with an ankle sprain.
BUENA 58, SAN MARCOS 34
SAN MARCOS – Hyslop 6, Chilton 7, Mendoza 17, Ochoa 4. Totals – 11, 11-22, 34.
BUENA – Strang 11, Albanez 18, Halpern 11, Munoz 2, Holcomb 8, Sherk 2, Sowell 6. Totals – 24, 4-4, 58.
Buena 9 11 17 21 — 58
San Marcos 12 8 7 7 — 34
3-Pointers – SM 1 (Chilton) B 6 (Halpern 3, Albanez 2, Strang). Total Fouls – SM 7, B 19
