Ripon’s boys basketball team showed well against the top-ranked Division IV team in the Sac-Joaquin Section on Thursday.

Playing in the Jackson Lions Club Playoff Preview at Argonaut High, the Indians were ultimately downed by Union Mine 83-65 for their fifth straight loss. They play Amador today.

“Honestly, it was one of our better games this year,” Ripon coach Justin Graham said. “I think we gave Union Mine fits, but we had a couple stretches where some turnovers gave them some quick 8-0 or 10-0 runs and that really was the difference of the game. Other than that, it was a pretty even game.”

Ripon (1-5) was ahead 17-16 after the first quarter and trailed 36-29 at halftime. The Diamondbacks (10-1) began to surge away with their 24-15 third-quarter burst. Union Mine tops the SJS Division IV field in MaxPreps computer ratings.

Landon Gillespie anchored Ripon’s balanced effort with 15 points, five assists and five steals. Jack Schoolland added 14 points. Bradley Reedy contributed with 12 points, and Marcus Madoski had 10 points, seven rebounds and five blocks.

GIRLS

East Union 49, Golden Valley 29

Coming off their first loss of the season, the Lancers (6-1) made a concerted effort to lock down on the defensive end at Dalben Center.

They outscored the Cougars (6-5) of Merced 15-5 in the first quarter and held them to single digits in three periods. The two teams previously squared off in Golden Valley’s tournament, with EU winning, 55-41.

“We lost to Atwater 63-58 on Tuesday and the defense wasn’t there, so I challenged them to play better today and they did,” East Union coach Rick Marsh said. “They played great defense tonight.”

Taylor Snaer led the attack with 19 points, Nylah Dyson scored 15 and Donnese Payne had nine. Amyra Navarrette netted 12 for Golden Valley.

Atwater 63, East Union 58

The visiting Falcons (3-4) soared to a 49-35 lead after three quarters and warded off a late charge from EU.

Dyson and Snaer fired 25 and 21 points for the host Lancers, respectively. Karissa Hukill and McKel Nairn each had 16 for Atwater.

Patterson 45, Ripon 39

Ripon (4-3) was in catch-up mode all game after the Patterson tournament host jumped out to a 14-6 first-quarter lead.

Gabby Delgado and Makenzie Loechler paced the Indians with 10 and eight points, respectively.

The Tigers (6-2) had three scorers in double figures and were led by Siena Musson’s 13 points, all coming in the second half. She also hit four 3-pointers. Taylor Mason did the damage early for Patterson, scoring eight of her 12 points in the opening quarter.

Ripon plays against Los Banos today at 5:15.

JV girls basketball

East Union 39, Golden Valley 14

Izzy Avalos accumulated 10 points and six rebounds in EU’s lopsided victory. Bellah Crabb contributed 10 points and six steals.

MJ Simon racked up eight points and six blocks. Caliyah Lopez also scored eight points, while collecting eight steals.