Riverbank worked its late-game magic yet again, and it helped the Bruins garner at least a share of the Trans-Valley League title Tuesday when they edged Ripon in overtime, 44-43.

Of their eight TVL victories, six have been decided by less than seven points. Different story for Ripon (4-4, 13-12 overall), which takes another gut-punching defeat The Indians’ four league losses have come by a combined 12 points, and their two defeats against Riverbank both went overtime. They had a chance to win it in the final seconds Tuesday but missed the final shot.

“We just can’t find a way to finish games,” Ripon coach George Contente said. “We had a good look; we had good looks all night. We’re playing good defense we just didn’t make shots.”

Ripon was 0 for 6 from the free-throw line. Riverbank (8-0, 14-9) made 10 of 14. The Indians did well to overcome an early 11-0 deficit and surged to a 23-18 halftime lead. They stalled again on offense for the rest of the contest. Riverbank had an opportunity to end the game in regulation but was well of the mark on the shot.

Ripon’s Zaire Davis led all players with 16 points, and Karissa Carlson had 10. Riverbank standout Olivia Luu was held to 12 points, and Contente credited the defensive efforts of Hailey Monroe and Sarah  De Frietas on the fourth-year varsity point guard.

“She had to earn all those points,” Contente said.



Ripon Christian 38,
Escalon 24

The Knights (5-3, 14-5) celebrated senior night, with Ellen Blankers spearheading a balanced scoring effort with eight points. Nicole Graham, Pam Radach, Elisabeth Regusci and Carly Tillema each had six.



Sophomore

Ripon Christian 35,
Escalon 33

Abby Buitrago hit the tying 3-pointer and later scored the go-ahead basket with a coast-to-coast layup with 9 seconds remaining. She and Molly Hoeksema poured in 13 points apiece, as Ripon Christian (10-1) overcame foul trouble and a 21-10 halftime deficit.