The Weston Ranch girls basketball game began a tough stretch in its schedule with one heck of a finish Tuesday in Tracy.

Down 15 to start the fourth quarter, the Cougars came all the way back to stun Kimball, 65-64.

Elisabeth Alexander keyed the late charge with a 3-pointer that closed Weston Ranch (6-1 Valley Oak League, 11-6 overall) in by two. Then on the game’s final play she came through with the big defensive rebound off Ayida Peters’ missed free throw with a second to go. The sophomore forward ended up leading all scorers with 24 points. Emoni Wilson added 14 points.

Kimball (4-3, 13-7) was led Allison Schmidt and Noni Kuumba, who each poured in 14 points

“Five games ago we would have lost this game by double figures,” Weston Ranch coach Chris Bauer said. “The kids kept their heads on their shoulders and they finished the game. It was a good growing moment right there for us.”

It doesn’t get easier for the Weston Ranch, which hosts Lathrop on Thursday and heads to Sonora next week.

Manteca 60, Oakdale 25

In Oakdale, Courtney Range torched the Mustangs for 24 points, and Jasmine Odell contributed 14 while providing a spark defensively in the blowout.

The first-place Buffaloes (7-0, 13-6) dominated from start to finish, holding Oakdale to single digits in every quarter.

“Overall, I was proud of the entire team with the effort they gave,” Manteca coach Cody Norman said. “Now that the first half of league is over, we need to go back and sharpen some edges in our toolbox because the second half of league will be twice as tough.”

Southern League

Ripon Christian 64,
Mariposa 35

In Mariposa, Teagan Manus erupted for 29 points and six assists as the Knights (6-1, 12-6) remain a game back of first-place Turlock Christian at the midway point of the SL season.

Kaylie Colyn contributed 13 points and four assists.

Nonleague (Monday)

Benicia 54, Manteca 52

At Vallejo’s Jesse Bethel High, Manteca trailed by 15 with 3:56 remaining in the third quarter before it began to shoot itself out of its slump.

Courtney Range amassed 29 points, 26 rebounds, three blocks and three steals, but it wasn’t enough for the Buffaloes. Nikki Andaya and Adrianna Williams paced Benicia (9-6) with 20 and 19 points, respectively.

Elizabeth Tolbert added five points and 13 rebounds for Manteca, Jasmine Odell turned in 12 boards and Mikayla Hasal chipped in six points and five assists.