East Union High was up to the challenge Tuesday against upstart River Islands.

“This was a game we needed,” said Lancers coach Dalton Ell following a 66-38 non-league victory at the Dalben Center.

East Union (5-5) was paced by junior Lorenzo Jones and senior Jackson Pellizzari.

Both scored 19 points with Jones also yanking down 11 rebounds, including four offensive boards, to go with two steals and a block.

“Lorenzo works hard. He has motor that runs nonstop,” Ell said Despite leading by 15 points at the intermission, Lancers, who had been playing solid defense up to that point, saw their lead slowly chip away.

The Riptide (5-5) came out of the half with sophomore guard Darius Radoc Factoran hitting a pair of buckets to top off a 9-4 run.

“It’s been a process,” said River Island coach Justin Graham on his young team learning to play at the varsity level.

His Riptide -- they’re part of the Central California Athletic Alliance League were coming off a tournament victory over Millennium while also scoring wins over neighboring Lathrop High, Riverbank, and Downey.

The Lancers responded to River Island run with Jones coming up with a pair ‘and-1’ three-point plays.

The first was Jones going coast-to-coast after coming up with a rebound and scoring on a drive at the other end.

He got some help on the next play as Ricky Soria came up with a steal and delivered the outlet pass, hitting Jones as he once again powered his way to the hoop.

Following Pellizzari’s two free throws, East Union padded the lead to 49-29 towards the end of third quarter.

Robbie Espinosa netted 10 of his 12 points in the fourth as the Lancers won going away.

“Our guys have up to the challenge most of the year,” Graham said. “They were not up to the challenge tonight.”

Charles Mapanao led the Riptide with 11 points. Idrees El Farra and Factoran finished with 7 and 6, respectively.

East Union led from the outset, taking a 17-9 first-quarter lead, and building that up to 35-20 by the break.

Ell praised his team’s unselfishness. “They played for each other,” he said.

The Lancers, who were initially scheduled to play Gustine of Friday, instead, will take on Central Valley tomorrow (Thursday).