Tipping off its season at home on Dec. 3, the Mancos High School girls basketball team defeated Newcomb, 51-50.

Keying the Mancos victory was a big game by junior point guard Jessica Gutierrez, who led the Bluejays with 22 points.

"(Jessica) is always consistent," said Mancos head coach Malory Morgan. "She comes every quarter, every game, ready to play. Having 22 points is a big confidence booster."

Thanks in part to Gutierrez's strong play, the Bluejays built a 15-6 lead by the end of the first quarter and led 18-16 at halftime. Newcomb righted its ship however, outscoring the Bluejays 15-7 in the third quarter and 19-16 in the fourth quarter to make the game close.

"Our first half was great," said Morgan. "The second half was not in our favor, but we ended up coming up with the win."

Complementing Gutierrez's big offensive day was sophomore Nicole Hess, who, despite sitting out the majority of the third quarter due to foul trouble and playing the entire fourth quarter with four fouls, scored a career high 17 points.

"(Nicole) played well for me," said Morgan. "She stepped out and shot the ball well."

Taylor Goff scored seven points, Brittney Peacock scored three points and Kaylee Rose scored two points for the Bluejays.

Next up for Mancos will be a road game against Aztec (1-3), which will take place on Dec. 9 at 5 p.m.

"Rebounding killed us more than anything (against Newcomb)," said Morgan. "We need to work on that (against Aztec)."