Andres Hurtado converted a penalty kick with 6 minutes remaining on Tuesday, and Lathrop held on from there to complete a pivotal 3-2 Western Athletic Conference win at Pacheco.

The Spartans (6-1-1, 14-3-2 overall) remains a point ahead of Johansen at the top of the table, while Pacheco (4-1-3, 6-3-5) stumbled to third place.

The Panthers from Los Banos have reason to believe they let this one slip away after taking a two-goal lead early in the second half.

Eduardo Torres got Lathrop on the board with a header off a set-piece delivery from Omar Rodriguez. Alan Hernandez provided the equalizer, as the Spartans capitalized on a corner-kick opportunity.

It was Hernandez who later drew the deciding penalty kick, getting fouled by the Pacheco goalie on a 1-on-1 breakaway.

Pacheco won the JV match, 2-0. Lathrop welcomes Grace Davis on Thursday.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Ripon 44, Sonora 43

Savannah Richardson drained the tying and go-ahead free throws for Ripon (3-2, 10-11 overall), which trailed 16-2 after the first quarter.

Itxel Reynoso spearheaded the Indians’ comeback charge, accounting for 10 of their 15 points in the second quarter as they closed in by halftime, 20-17.

Reynoso finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Richardson contributed 10 points. Lauren Peters added six pints and seven boards.

Isabella Ahrens netted 19 points for the visiting Wildcats (3-2, 9-9).

Lathrop 61, Central Valley 22

In Ceres, the WAC-leading Spartans (6-0, 20-0) dominated enough to overcome a 5-for-19 shooting effort from the free-throw line. They held Central Valley (0-6, 3-16) to single-digit scoring in every quarter and led comfortably at halftime, 33-6.

Breanna Wiseman was relieved early but still amassed 22 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Maddy Nungaray (three rebounds, three assists), Shakara Porter (three rebounds, four steals, block) and Kira Davis (six rebounds) were also key contributors in the balanced effort.

BOYS BASKETBALL

River Islands 73, Millennium 36

It was all Riptide (3-0, 10-10 overall) in the Central California Athletic Alliance showdown in Tracy.

Jermuel Dizon led them with 19 points. Charles Mapanao scored all 15 of his points in the first half, including three 3s.

Euan Costales and Darius Radoc Factoran tallied nine and eight points, respectively. All River Islands players had ample time on the floor, and Jandrei Umali scored his first bucket of the season.

Ripon Christian 70, Escalon 51

The host Knights (4-0 TVL, 10-9 overall) erupted for 22 points in each of the second and third quarters and were ahead 57-34 going into the fourth.

Jake Vander Veen scored 10 of his game-high 20 points in the third quarter. Amos Cady led the charge in the second period, when he hit five of six free throws and a 3-pointer. He finished with 18 points, and Mason Tameling drained three 3s for his nine.

Logan Huebner led Escalon (2-2, 11-19) with 13 points.

Sonora 67, Ripon 50

Andrew Shaw fired 17 points, while knocking down four 3s, but it wasn’t enough for the visiting Indians (1-3 TVL, 6-14 overall).

Sonora (5-0, 9-11) led 32-18 at halftime. Rigo Estrella paced the Wildcats with 19 points. Steven Morfoot knocked down three 3s in the second period and finished with 17 points.

JV girls basketball

Lathrop 61, Central Valley 21

Sara Garcia led the Spartans’ balanced effort, pouring in 16 points, including four 3s.

Faith Allen added 15 points, four steals and three assists. Freshman Sarah Hilton pitched in with eight points, six steals and three assists.