Ceres High’s varsity girls basketball team earned a thrilling 34-31 victory while battling Johansen in Western Athletic Conference play Thursday evening in Modesto.

Lysaida Munoz scored the go-ahead bucket off a pass from Mya Robinson with less than 15 seconds left in regulation.

Celeste Leon made one of two free throws to give the Bulldogs a three-point lead with 2.4 seconds to play.

Mia Rodriguez’s steal near midcourt secured the victory.

Munoz’s lone basket proved to be the difference in the game.

“I had a clear mind,” she said. “I didn’t feel any pressure. I was having fun. I couldn’t have done it without my team.”

Munoz, Ceres High’s leading scorer this year, was slowed by a wrist injury sustained in a 61-59 win at Beyer on Jan. 28.

Her right hand was noticeably swollen.

 “I was supposed to go to the doctor today but I ended up playing,” Munoz said. “I didn’t want to miss a game. My team needed me.”

The Bulldogs moved to 13-11 on the season and into a three-way tie for third place in the WAC standings (6-4) with Lathrop and Beyer.

The Vikings (13-9, 4-6) dropped to fourth place.

Rodriguez collected a team-high eight points, to go along with nine rebounds and four steals against Johansen.

Leon had seven points and two rebounds.

Catryna Marquez had seven points, five steals, two assists and two rebounds.

Mya Robinson had six points, three steals, one rebound and one assist.

Munoz had two points and nine rebounds.

Thanya Gonzalez had two points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Sandra Espinoza had two points.

“It feels good walking off the court knowing we got the W,” Munoz said. “We played our game.”

Gonzalez tallied 22 points and 10 rebounds while propelling Ceres High past Beyer.

Rodriguez had 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one steal.

Munoz had nine points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Robinson had eight points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Leon had six points, six rebounds, three steals and one assist.

Melannie Gonzalez had three points, three rebounds and two assists.

The Bulldogs outscored the Patriots 13-7 in the fourth quarter.

Ceres High will play host to Grace Davis tomorrow at 7:15 p.m.