STOCKTON — Lathrop High used a strong third quarter to roll past host Weston Ranch 52-32 in Wednesday’s Valley Oak League rivalry clash.

Leading 26-13 at halftime, the Spartans (2-1 VOL, 9-6) pushed the attack with eight unanswered points.

“We’ve had some terrible third quarters in our previous games. So we made it a point to come out (of halftime) and play aggressively,” said Lathrop coach Dwayne Davis.

Ryleen Crull, Myani Thornton, Danya Phillips and Gurveen Bal keyed the attack. Crull hit a pair of free throws and a jumper, Thornton scored off an assist from Phillips, and Bal stroked one from mid-range.

Despite being down from the onset, Weston Ranch (0-3, 6-7) was still in the game through most of the first half.

“This had to be our poorest performance of the year,” Cougars coach Darrell Johnson said. “We committed 22 turnovers in that first half and we were down by 13.”

Part of the reason for that was poor free-throw shooting. The Spartans were 2 of 12 from the line in the first quarter. They went on a 12-2 run in the second quarter keyed by their pressing defense.

“That’s when we get more active,” said Davis, who can rotate any eight players on his full-court pressure.

Bal got untracked, scoring six of her game-high 14 points in that run. Phillips converted two off a steal while Thornton hit a pair of pull-up jumpers from the free throw line area.

Mary Cotton was the catalyst for Lathrop. The 5-foot-11 sophomore was all over the court, grabbing 13 rebounds to go with her eight points, three steals and two blocks.

Thornton chipped in with 10 points, eight boards and four steals.

Justice Stitt led Weston Ranch with 16 points.

Senior point guard Vanessa Vega had seven rebounds, five steals and four points.

Sophomore

Weston Ranch 45,

Lathrop 42

Alyson Bacuyani beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer to win it in overtime for the Cougars. The game was tied at 36-36 after regulation.

Mariah Ghattas had a game-high 24 points, and Diarie Ross chipped in 10.

Freshman

Weston Ranch 38,

Lathrop 17

Jennalyn Laminero amassed 22 points and five assists as Weston Ranch rolled to an easy win.

The Cougars led 16-2 after a quarter of play and limited Lathrop to single digits in every quarter.

Ashanti Boatman added eight points, eight rebounds and four steals. Darnaysha Huff pitched in eight rebounds and four blocks.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.