Following a back-and-forth first half that saw host Manteca ahead by four points heading into the second half, East Union exploded for 25 third-period points while holding the Buffaloes to just seven points in the quarter on the way to a 55-44 girls Valley Oak League girls basketball win. The win knocked Manteca out of a tie for first place and leaves the Lancers tied with Kimball atop the VOL standings.
“We just put pressure on our opponent,” East Union coach Jim Agostini said. “We ran some better half-court sets in the third quarter than we did in the second when we were loose, and we got out in transition and kept attacking them. When you attack the rim, you can create problems and that’s what we did, foul problems.
“These were two good teams with two great records meeting on the same railroad track early in the year in the VOL. They’re good, and you have to honor that. This was a good high-school game and was a good experience for the girls.”
Alessandra Montes (four rebounds, three blocks) was a big part of the pivotal third quarter for the Lancers (3-0 VOL, 18-3 overall), scoring 10 of her 14 points in the period.
“It was a good battle early on but in the end we finished it off,” Montes said. “Our energy and the way we encouraged our teammates really brought out our intensity.
“We just had a really good game.”
East Union’s Nylah Dyson led all scorers with 23 points, hitting 14 of 16 from the free-throw line.
“In the third quarter, we really executed with our defense and our offense got better, being more organized and more patient,” Dyson said. “We have been working on the little things and that helped us get the win tonight.”
Donnese Payne (five points) continued to be a force in the paint for the Lancers with 16 rebounds. Teammate Ava Barrera added eight points and six rebounds.
The Buffaloes (2-1, 16-4) played uncharacteristic basketball for them, going just 4 of 15 from the free-throw line, committing 15 turnovers and ending up in early foul trouble.
“We have to limit those turnovers, and free throws were really the difference in the game,” Manteca coach Oscar Calix said. “In order for us to be a really good team, we have to make free throws and take care of the ball.
“Another bad thing we did was get into foul trouble with two starters fouling out, and Izzy (Sanchez) getting into foul trouble early. We have to limit those and be more aggressive attacking the basket.”
Even with early foul trouble, Sanchez posted a double-double with 10 points and 16 rebounds along with three assists. Teammate Jada Ikharo also had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds and Michailla Springs chipped in nine points and four rebounds.
On Tuesday, the Buffaloes travel across town to Sierra at 7 p.m. East Union hosts Kimball at 7:30 p.m. in a showdown for first place.
Junior varsity
East Union 46, Manteca 43
The Buffaloes managed just 13 first-half points and outscored the Lancers 30-13 in the second half but came up just short in the end.
East Union’s Bellah Crabb led all scorers with 29 points and Saniyah Anthony paced Manteca with 18 points.
Freshman
East Union 35, Manteca 25 (OT)
After scoring just one point in the second quarter, the Lancers outscored the Buffaloes 10-0 in the overtime period.
East Union’s Jedah Haywood scored 12 points and Savanna Lopez added 10.
Krystal Ramirez led Manteca with 10 points.
