Rob Kerr / The BulletinMadras junior Mariah Stacona dribbles behind her back after a steal to get past La Salle’s Ally Jensen before making a layup to end the first quarter on Tuesday night in Madras.

MADRAS — The gameplan on Tuesday night was to shorten the game. It was to be patient, look for quality shots, and take care of the ball.

For 16 minutes, Madras did just that to grab a 19-18 halftime lead against La Salle, which entered the night No. 3 in Class 4A while scoring more than 70 points per game.

But the White Buffaloes were outscored 15-7 in the third quarter before falling 47-38 in a Tri-Valley Conference girls basketball matchup.

“We executed pretty well in the first half,” Madras coach Zach Lillebo said. “All of a sudden, we came out in the third quarter, and we went away from our gameplan. We changed our speed, went up-tempo (and) the shot quality wasn’t there.”

The White Buffaloes (2-1 TVC, 11-6 overall) were paced by Mariah Stacona’s game-high 18 points, while Cirelle Frank contributed eight points. But Madras could not withstand a 29-point second half by the Falcons, who at 3-0 in the Tri-Valley Conference now hold the league’s top spot.

La Salle benefited from offensive rebounding in the critical second half, as the Falcons racked up 12 second-chance points.

“I think we proved something tonight,” Lillebo said. “We can play with anybody. That (La Salle) is one of the better teams in the state at the 4A level. … I think that team makes it to the 4A state championship.

“I have no doubt in my mind,” the Madras coach continued, “our girls can play with anybody as long as we stick to our gameplan.”