OAKDALE — The Lancers put together a solid effort at Oakdale on Friday.
The big three of Olivia Vezaldenos, Ruby Daube and Donja Payne spearheaded East Union to a 53-40 Valley Oak League over the Mustangs.
“This was a good road win,” said Lancers coach Jim Agostini, who was pleased to see his team post double-digit figures for all four quarters.
East Union (6-0 VOL, 17-1) got a game-high 24 points from Daube, who connected on four 3s.
“Oakdale keyed on Olivia by double teaming her on defense,” Agostini said. “Instead, she found Ruby, who was open for the shot.”
Vezaldenos came away with a good all-around game, finishing with 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Payne, a 6-foot-2 freshman center, once again provided that inside presence for East Union, collecting 15 rebounds to go with her 12 points.
The Lancers kept a steady pace throughout the game, outscoring Oakdale (1-5 VOL, 8-10) in the first quarter and building that up to a 33-12 halftime advantage.
Both teams, for most part, matched baskets in the second half.
East Union’s win, more importantly, helped set the stage for the rivalry game against Manteca High, which trounced Central Catholic, 45-27. Both teams are undefeated in VOL play and appear on a collision course for that game to determine sole possession of first place.

Manteca 65,
Central Catholic 27
The Buffaloes (6-0, 13-7) held the visiting Raiders (3-3, 12-6) to single digits in every period of the running-clock win at Winter Gymnasium.
Sydnee Fryer led Manteca with 20 points followed by Loretta Kakala with 19 and Lejla Pepic with 10.
“I feel so happy with this win,” Buffaloes coach Mary Ann Tolbert said. “We have three of our main players out – two with injury (Elizabeth Tolbert, Kacy Bolding) and one (Rubel Dehal) home sick. And this team came together and played the closest they have played all year.
“It was amazing and I couldn’t be prouder of all my girls and the way they all stepped up today. It was unselfish ball across the board, good defense and they did everything we ask them to do in practice. This was our best win of the year.”
Nonleague
Lodi 53,
Ripon Christian 45
Ripon Christian his a rough patch early on at Lodi.
In the non-league affair, the Knights went through a scoring drought after a 9-9 deadlock in the first quarter.
The Flames scored 13 unanswered points and, from then on, never looked back.
“For the exception of that bad four-minute stretch, we played well overall,” RC coach Ed Mulder said.
Nicole Graham led the Knights (9-8 overall) with 21 points and hauling in eight boards.
Jessica Van Vliet netted six points while Bailey Broker collected 10 rebounds.