Ceres High’s varsity girls basketball team had to settle for a split against Western Athletic Conference competition last week.

The Bulldogs surpassed last year’s win total of eight with a 44-39 victory over Johansen on Jan. 7 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

“It was expected,” second-year head coach Mike Estrada Jr. said. “Our goals are bigger this year. We want to finish on top of the league and get to playoffs.”

Lysaida Munoz scored a team-high 15 points for Ceres High (9-9, 2-2).

Thanya Gonzalez tallied 10 points.

Celeste Leon had eight points.

Mya Robinson had six points.

Mia Rodriguez had three points.

Catryna Marquez had two points.

The Bulldogs led 23-17 at the break.

Johansen outscored Ceres High 22-21 during the second half, including 12-8 in the third period.

“I don’t believe the game should have been that close,” Estrada said. “We could have finished it off in the third quarter. We have to stay focused and play smart all four quarters.”

Ceres High suffered a 45-43 loss while competing against Pacheco on Jan. 9 in Los Banos.

The Bulldogs managed to score just eight points in the fourth quarter.

“It’s one of our worst games of the season,” Estrada said. “We have to do better in every aspect—offense, defense, transition and working as a team.”

Leon totaled a team-high 16 points versus Pacheco.

Munoz added eight points.

Gonzalez had seven points.

Rodriguez had six points.

Robinson had four points.

Marquez had two points.

The Bulldogs led 35-31 at the end of the third quarter.

Ceres High will play at Grace Davis this Thursday at 7:15 p.m.