HUGHSON — Ripon had to work much harder to beat Hughson the second time around.
On Tuesday, Vincent Olmo compiled 21 points and 20 rebounds, and the Indians squeaked out a 53-48 win in overtime despite a hot shooting night for Justin Watkins and the Huskies.
The first go-around was a lopsided 76-38 trouncing favoring the Trans-Valley League leading Indians (7-0, 16-6 overall), who shot out to a 29-11 first-quarter lead and buried 12 total 3-pointers.
It Hughson (6-2, 13-9) that came out firing Tuesday, leading 28-21 at halftime behind five straight made 3s from Watkins. The 6-foot-3 senior poured in 15 of his 24 points in the second quarter.
“It’s always a struggle in Hughson,” Ripon coach Rod Wright said. “Hughson came out and played tremendously hard, and it was the most energetic I’ve seen them. Last time they kind of went through the motions, and we tried to convey to our kids that this was a big game.”
It ended up being one late. Adam Wood came through with three clutch 3s for all of his nine points, including one that tied it at 44-44 with 2:30 remaining and another that gave Ripon the lead for good early in overtime. Troy Brogan hit two free throws in the final minute to seal it.
Kyle Sisk added 14 points for the Indians, while Will Fiveash had 13, including three 3s, for Hughson.
Ripon has won 11 straight, but the latest victory is the first in league play that was not decided by a double-digit margin.
“It has been a while since we’ve had to work hard to finish the game,” Wright said. “It’s very important for us to see this now, because we don’t want to go into the playoffs not used to closing out a close game.”

Ripon Christian 63, Escalon 54
RIPON — Escalon (0-8, 1-21) took a 35-32 lead into halftime but is still seeking its first league win. The Knights (5-3, 13-8) broke it open with a dominant 25-9 third quarter.
Andrew Vander Weide led RC’s balanced attack with 14 points, Fletcher Jackson added 12 and Braden Van Groningen had nine. Jacob Vander Hoek and Cade Alger chipped in eight apiece.
Kameron Deweerd fired 15 points for the Cougars.

Varsity girls
Ripon 68, Hughson 47
RIPON — Reina and Rachel Sausedo combined to make seven of Ripon’s eight 3-pointers, and the Indians (7-0, 17-3) widened their TVL lead to three games.
Reina Sausedo finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Rachel added 13 points. Mia Van Lewen contributed 10 points, and Savannah Clark pulled down 14 rebounds to go with six points.
Kinsey Langley led Hughson (2-6, 10-9) with 15 points.

Ripon Christian 41, Escalon 36
ESCALON — Ripon Christina (4-4, 12-10) was able to grind out the needed victory after scoring just two points in the second quarter and trailing 20-12 at halftime.
Renae Heida led the way with 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Morgan Van Elderen added 11 points and six boards. Escalon (4-4, 12-10) was paced by Shelby McCune’s 13 points.