Sierra’s girls basketball team led after every quarter, but an 18-9 run from Ceres left the Timberwolves with their third straight nonleague defeat on Monday, 42-37.

“We had nine points in the fourth quarter, but we really couldn’t hit a shot,” Sierra coach Steve Unterholzner said.

Celine Barber of Sierra (3-6) and Ceres standout Bryce Ford each had 14 points to lead all players. Sierra freshman Kayla Wilson recorded nine points, and Valerie Nestor pulled down 11 rebounds to go with three points.

Sierra had leads of 15-13 and 28-24 after the second and third quarters, respectively,

The team opens the Cosumnes Oaks Tournament Thursday against Folsom starting at 3:30 p.m. in Elk Grove.

Sophomore

Sierra 47, Ceres 35

Elizabeth Ma torched the visiting Bulldogs for 19 points and four steals, and Amelia Teicheira helped Sierra run away with it by scoring all nine of her points in the fourth quarter. Ceres was ahead by two after the third quarter before Sierra mounted a 22-point outburst.

Haley Silva added 10 points, Kristen Maestretti had six steals and Nour Hamza pulled down nine boards.

Freshman

Trayana Davis pumped in 18 points (7-2) for Sierra, which also got 11 points and 10 steals from Devi Coglio. Kendelle Messersmith chipped in five points and four steals.

Weekend results

Liberty Ranch 60 Ripon 56

Selina Moore amassed 43 points as the Liberty Tournament host Hawks (7-4) handed Ripon (5-1) its first loss of the season. Ripon had a chance to tie it with free throws in the final seconds but missed both attempts before putting Liberty on the line to ice it.

Ruth Waters paced three Indians in double figures with 14 points. Tia Sidtikun and Kelsey Alexander  had 13 and 11, respectively.

Ceres 30, Manteca 28

Two starting guards missed the entire first half, and it ended up costing the Buffaloes in their final tournament contest in Ceres.

Ceres’ Bryce Ford fired 18 points to pace all players. Freshman Elizabeth Tolbert had seven to lead Manteca.