Missed free throws nearly cost Sierra High’s girls basketball team Tuesday at Beyer.

But it was free throws, as it turns out, that ended up winning it for the Timberwolves.

Sierra sank all 10 of its attempts from the charity stripe in overtime to upend the Patriots 48-44 and even its non-league record to 1-1.

Stephanie Vanni accounted for six of those clutch free throws, which made up the bulk of her seven overall points on the night. Jasmine Currimao and Alysia Atkins hit the other four free throws to help seal it.

“They pressed us for the entire overtime period, and every time we brought the ball up they’d foul us before we would even take a shot,” Sierra coach Steve Unterholzner said.

And the Timberwolves made them pay for it, though that wasn’t the case in the fourth quarter when they were 4-of-10 from the line.

Cierra White drained a 3-pointer with 3 seconds remaining for Beyer to force the extra period.

Atkins finished with 15 points to lead all scorers. Michelle Arroyo added 13 points, including three 3-pointers.

Defense kept Sierra in the game early on while the offense struggled to put points on the board. Down 23-20 at halftime, Sierra nearly matched its first-half output when outscoring Beyer 17-8 in the third quarter.

“We came out of the second half strong, and that was the game-changer right there,” Unterholzner said.

Sierra opens the Lodi Tournament Thursday against Brookside Christian at 3:30 p.m.

Lexy Posz’s triple double — 18 points, 10 rebounds, 10 steals — helped the Lancers (2-1) bounce back in a big way from Monday’s loss to Modesto.

East Union started Monday’s contest poorly and struggled on the defensive end throughout, but neither were the case at Johansen Tuesday. Ahead 27-15 at the end of one, EU’s relentless press defense held the Vikings to just four points in the second quarter.

Rachel Hoppis added 10 points for EU, which had 14 of 15 players score.

“It was a good comeback win after (Monday) night,” East Union coach Jim Agostini said. “After studying the game film and taking notes, we just let the players know what it was we didn’t achieve, and they responded very well tonight.”

The Lancers hope to keep the momentum going on Dec. 14 when they head to Bear Creek.

In Tracy, Manteca (2-0) shot out to a 22-6 first-quarter lead and outscored the Wolf Pack 19-6 in the third quarter before putting it in cruise control.

Sharon Washington’s 25 points paced the Buffaloes. She also hit 12-of-16 free throws. Mikayla Hasal chipped in with 12 points.

Manteca’s full-court press set the tone and forced 28 turnovers while keeping 6-foot-2 center Nina Pritchett (2 points) in check.

“We created a lot of turnovers and got a lot of steals, and that turned into easy buckets,” said Manteca coach Andrea Hiatt. “But we got sloppy as the game went on. We started to force a lot of things that were not there.”

Manteca next hosts Patterson on Dec. 14.

Ripon remained perfect on the young season, building a 24-13 halftime lead on its way to a home victory over the visiting Bulldogs.

Reserve post player Tia Sidtikun made the most of her extended action, pacing the club with 18 points to lead all scorers. Rachel Rodriguez chipped in with 11 points, while Kendra Contente added six.

‘Kendra came out and hit a 3-pointer right off the bat, so they wanted to take away our outside shooting,” Ripon head coach George Contente said. “That really opened up the inside and Tia ended up having a great game.

“She plays a lot bigger that she is.”

The Indians (3-0) will try and run their perfect mark to four when they play host to the Kimball Jaguars Monday.

The visiting Cougars ran into a talented Lincoln High squad clicking on all cylinders, holding Weston Ranch scoreless in the final period.

Weston Ranch (1-1) opened the 2010 season with a victory over the Bear Creek Bruins, yet the fun ride would not last long after the trip to Stockton. Lincoln had the contest well in hand after posting a 50-16 halftime lead.

Devyn Weymouth led all scorers with 18, while teammate Ashlyn Crenshaw chipped in 17 for the Trojans.

Weston Ranch will try and get back on the right track Thursday when they open its third title defense of the Stagg Tournament title against the Edison Vikings.

The Lancers built a nine-point halftime lead and never relinquished, stopping the Vikings in a 40-29 road win Tuesday.

Marina Sayler led the Lancers with 15 points, while teammate Kayla Lamont chipped in with eight. Alex Scopas scored five points and produced a game-high five steals to lead the defense.

East Union (2-0) will open its host tournament Thursday with a first round contest against the Escalon Cougars.