Clinging to a one-point lead to start the second period Tuesday night, East Union clamped down with its defense and went on an 11-0 run, never being threatened the rest of the way in a 42-31 win over visiting Sierra in Valley Oak League action at Dalben Center.

“It was about defense for us,” Lancers coach Jim Agostini said. “That’s the bottom line. We tell the girls all the time that we won’t be able to come out and execute a perfect offense every night, and you tip your hat to Sierra for playing good defense. We had an off night offensively, but we did not have an off night defensively, holding them to 31 points.

“We praised them for their defensive effort, but we have to get back in the gym and keep working at it.”

The defense clamped down for both teams in the fourth period with the Timberwolves (0-2 VOL, 11-8 overall) managing just four points and East Union (2-0, 17-3) six.

Allesandra Montes posted a double-double for the Lancers with 12 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.

“I think we had a good game,” Montes said. “Coach (Agostini) brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and our defense did really well.

“We just played with intensity and had a good game.”

East Union post standout Donnese Payne (four points) has missed the last six games and came in to start the second period Tuesday, pulling down 10 rebounds and swatting three blocks.

“I felt good,” Payne said. “I was ready, but I could improve more from not being here.

“So, I have to work a little more to get back to where I was and get better than where I was.”

Nylah Dyson led the Lancers with 13 points, with Zyondupree Beasley adding six points and four rebounds.

Sierra’s Emma Gilmore led all scorers with 17 points, missing a good chunk of the second half with a leg injury. Mya Everett (two points) added seven rebounds and four blocks and Abigail Chapman (four points) led all rebounders with 15.

“Emma (Gilmore) is a special player,” Timberwolves coach Rudy Valencia said. “Players like that only come around every once and a while. You don’t see many like that.

“She is a leader. We run our offense through her. She understands the game. She has a high basketball IQ. That is the best way to describe her, she is just a special player.”

On Thursday, Sierra travels to Oakdale at 7 p.m., and at 7:30 p.m. East Union travels across town for a showdown with Manteca.  

Junior varsity

East Union 51, Sierra 27

Bellah Crabb scored 16 points for the Lancers and Jerney Luckett added all nine of her points in the fourth period.

Feben Tesfandrias paced the Timberwolves with 12 points.

Freshman

East Union 48, Sierra 22

Jedah Vasquez led the Lancers (14-1) with 18 points and Savanna Lopez chipped in 11.

Kaylee Diego scored 10 points for the Timberwolves.