Christian Mkpado scored 25 points and Johnny Manzo pulled down 17 rebounds as the San Marcos boys basketball team used a solid second half to beat visiting Buena 63-54 Wednesday night at the Thunderhut.
“Christian was unstoppable in the second half tonight. Our guys did a very good job finding him inside for easy baskets tonight and he was determined to make his presence known,” said coach Jarrod Bradley.
The Royals (13-3, 2-1 Channel) were stellar from the charity stripe and got there plenty, sinking 22-of-28. Donny Nahmias went 7-for-8 from the line, including five big ones late in the contest.
Manzo now has 39 rebounds over San Marcos’ last three games.
“Johnny boarded like a man tonight… In the fourth quarter, he blocked a shot by Spencer Smith then closed out on a long three from (Shant) Israelyan to help maintain our lead,” said Bradley.
Mkpado made it a double-double by adding 10 rebounds of his own.
The teams were notted up at 23-23 heading into the locker room, but the hosts scored 20 points in the third and fourth quarters to seal the victory.
Buena falls to 8-7 overall and 1-1 in league play.
SAN MARCOS 63, BUENA 54
Buena…5 18 7 24 — 54
San Marcos…10 13 20 20 — 63
B — Israelyan 7, Raines 3, Huff 3, Valdez 8, Smith 15, McGuire 3, Berg 3, Reyes 12. Totals 19 6-10 54.
SM — Manzo 7, Nahmias 9, CaRidenour 4, Mkpado 25, ChRidenour 8, White 7, Vasquez 3. Totals 19 22-28 63.
3-point goals — B 9 (Israelyan 2, Raines, Huff, Valdez 2, Smith, Berg, Reyes), SM 3 (ChRidenour 2, Vasquez). Total fouls — B 20, SM 14. Fouled out — none. Technicals — none.
Team records — B 8-7, 1-1 Channel League, SM 13-3, 2-1 Channel League.
