During the first quarter of their first game back since Christmas break, the Mancos Bluejays boys basketball team appeared grounded.

Then, like a jet taking flight, the Bluejays roared and soared, blowing out the Dove Creek Bulldogs 72-31 on Jan. 10, much to the delight of the Mancos crowd.

Showing the effects of their three-week layoff, the Bluejays struggled on offense during the first quarter, which ended with the score tied 10-10.

"They came out on fire and we were kind of stagnant," said Bluejays' head coach Rodney Cox.

Any stagnation on the part of the Bluejays quickly disintegrated in the second quarter however, as Mancos raced to a 36-19 halftime lead.

Key to the Bluejays' second quarter explosion was the team's ability to mount a balanced attack that allowed multiple players to score.

In all, four Bluejays scored in double figures and seven Mancos players scored at least eight points during the contest. Nigel Henry, Adrian Hernandez and Daniel Christensen paced the Bluejays with 12 points apiece.

"We started running," said Cox of his team's big second quarter. "That opened things up inside."

Continuing to dominate the Bulldogs throughout the second half, the Bluejays led 59-27 after three quarters and 72-31 after four.

Even with the big win however, Cox was not pleased with his team's defense.

"I thought we did a good job on the perimeter, but (Gatlin) scored too many points on us," said Cox, referring to Dove Creek big man Spencer Gatlin, who scored 14 points.

With their record now at 6-2 on the year, the Bluejays will face off against Telluride in Mancos on Jan. 14 before traveling to Nucla for a Jan. 16 matchup.