If not for one bad quarter, the Mancos Bluejays girls basketball team might have finished last week undefeated.
Even with the slipup however, the team went 1-1.
Bluejays dominate Telluride
Kicking off last week's play at home against Telluride on Jan. 14, the Bluejays dominated start to finish, besting the visiting Miners 52-23.
Key to the Bluejays' success was the team's ability to trap out of its half-court defense, which forced several Telluride turnovers.
"We ran a half-court trap, and tonight it was successful," said Bluejays senior Brandi Bundy, who led Mancos in scoring with 19 points.
Also playing well for the Bluejays was sophomore Jessica Gutierrez, who notched 11 points.
Nucla outlasts Mancos
Hoping to pick up a second win on Jan. 16, the Bluejays ran into trouble in Nucla, losing to the Mustangs 52-44.
After a first half that saw them pull ahead 25-21, the Bluejays ran into trouble in the third quarter and were outscored 17-4.
"I don't know why we struggled so much there," said Bluejays head coach Mallory Morgan. "Every game, it seems like (the third quarter) is the defining factor."
Although Mancos outscored the Mustangs 15-14 in the fourth quarter, the run proved to be too little too late.
"We just got outhustled a bit," said Morgan. "Nucla is always scrappy and ready to go."
Leading the Bluejays in the loss, Bundy scored a game-high 18 points.
With their record now at 2-7 on the year, the Bluejays will next travel to Ouray to face off against the Trojans on Jan. 25.
