Shebra Rezaye hit three of four free throws down the stretch and finished with 24 points to help East Union’s girls basketball team escape Merced with a 53-50 non-league win on Tuesday.

The Lancers (8-2) carried a 40-28 lead into the fourth quarter, but Merced (8-3) came back and tied it at 50-50 with a 3-pointer from Amiya Brown. Rezaye responded by making three of four free throws down the stretch, and East Union came up with defensive stops to preserve the lead.

Rezaye ended up 8-of-9 from the foul line and also had four assists and four rebounds. Jerney Luckett chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds, and Zyon Dupree Beasley had nine points, 10 boards and four assists.

East Union welcomes Lincoln of Stockton on Friday.

VARSITY BOYS

Sierra 58, Stagg 39

Sierra built a big lead early and coasted past visiting Stagg for its 10th win of the season. It’s the Timberwolves’ second victory over the Delta Kings (4-8) in five days. They previously met in a consolation semifinal at the West Tournament last Friday.

Sierra (10-2) raced to a 24-8 first-quarter lead in the rematch. Colby Vueve recorded 12 points and eight rebounds, while Jordan Garcia had 11 points and nine rebounds.

Riley Kane contributed nine points, and AJ Chapman collected 10 rebounds.

The T’wolves have two more games at home this week starting with Franklin tonight at 6. They then take on defending Trans Valley League champion Ripon Christian on Friday.

Escalon 59, River Islands 56 (OT)

The host Riptide (4-6) had chances to put it away with a two-point lead in the final minute but missed four straight free throws.

Charles Mapanao led them with 17 points and four 3s. Zach Basurto contributed 14 points.

River Islands travels to De La Salle on Monday.

Tracy 78, Ripon Christian 67

After a high-scoring first half, the Knights (4-5) cooled off in the latter two quarters, as visiting Tracy (7-2) outscored them, 39-21.

Ripon Christian came up short despite another big game from senior guard Jake Vander Veen, who scored 25 points, including three 3s. Fellow third-year guard Amos Cady made his season debut after recovering from a football injury. He contributed 12 points, Ben Bulthuis had nine and Mason Tameling eight. 

Lars Lindroos paced the Bulldogs with 27 points. Aiden Guzman added 17, 12 coming in the second quarter.

Junior varsity girls

Stagg Delta Queen Tournament

Lathrop clinched the 47th annual tournament championship in Stockton on Saturday with a resounding 65-8 win over Edison.

The Spartans also took down Fairfield 46-23 in the opener last Thursday, Pitman 55-12 in the semifinal round Friday.

Tourney MVP Zoha Ali accumulated 42 points over the three days. Zakia Booker and Sariah Hilton contributed 41 and 26 points, respectively, and were also named to the all-tourney team.

Junior varsity boys

Sierra 62, Stagg 49

Jeremiah Ybona drained three 3s and poured in 18 points, as the Timberwolves rolled to 7-2.

Kiral Tran and Jack Taylor added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Freshman boys

Stagg 49, Sierra 48

The Timberwolves (4-5) came up short despite knocking down 10 3-pointers.

Ahbi Banipal drained four from long range for his 12 points. Kaiden Gowen hit two 3s and finished with 10 points. Harvir Singh pitched in nine points.