East Union’s girls basketball team will defend its tournament championship in the 30th annual Golden Valley Lady Cougar Classic today in Merced.

The Lancers earned their spot in the final Friday with a convincing 49-28 win over Valley Oak League rival and previously-unbeaten Oakdale.

They’ll take on Gregori or Beyer, both of Modesto, today starting at 2:30. East Union, now 4-1, is gunning for its fourth straight title.

Senior forward ZyonDupree Beasley led the way with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Shebra Rezaye contributed 13 points and seven rebounds. Lucija Dayeh pitched in five points, while Ava Barrera produced six points, seven rebounds and five assists.

The Lancers trailed 19-17 at halftime after scoring just four points in the second quarter. The game changed in the third when they erupted for 24 points to Oakdale’s five. Rezaye was at the center of the onslaught with 11 points, including a 3-pointer.

Freshman Keira Kirkpatrick paced Oakdale (5-1) with 11 points. Natalie Powell, a 6-foot-2 center, was limited to eight.

Merced 58, Ripon 39

The Indians (2-3) had no answer for Averie Steverson, who amassed 26 points for Merced (4-1) in the Golden Valley Lady Cougar Classic consolation semifinal. She scored 12 of the Bears’ 20 points in the second quarter, as they built a 32-15 halftime lead.

Itxel Reynosa scored all 12 of her points in the first half for Ripon, which takes on tourney host Golden Valley or Roosevelt in the seventh-place game this morning at 10.