Trailing visiting East Union by 10 points to start the fourth quarter Tuesday night, Sierra battled back to within five points with 24 seconds remaining but would come no closer as the Lancers held on for a 40-35 Valley Oak League girls basketball win.

“You have to anticipate coming in here that Sierra is playing better basketball then they were the first time around,” East Union coach Jim Agostini said. “But it was a tough game the first time, too.

“They just took Manteca to a two-point loss, so you have to respect that and know you are going to get their best punch. You have to do what you have to do in the VOL to grind out wins.”

“My free throws have been off the last few games,” Dyson said. “So, I have been practicing 100 every day, and tonight was a great free-throw night for me.”

Alexa Zuniga was next in line for East Union with eight points and five rebounds. Teammate Donnese Payne pulled down 10 rebounds.

“Tonight was a rough one,” Zuniga said. “We had it in the beginning but at the end it was getting pretty tough and we kept our cool.”

Mya Everett led the Timberwolves (1-5, 12-11) with 12 points, and Taylor Zalunardo added seven.

This was the second tough loss in a row for Sierra against crosstown rivals.

“This was two tough heartbreakers at home against first Manteca and now East Union,” Timberwolves coach Rudy Valencia said. “Five points is not much. If we would have just hit a couple of 3-pointers, we would have been right there.

“We had them on their heels. Our press was working pretty good there at the end to help keep us in the game. But I tip my hat. (Jim) Agostini is the best in the area. He’s a good dude.”

Thursday night at 7, Sierra hosts Oakdale and at 7:30 the Lancers host Manteca in the battle for first place in the VOL.

Junior varsity

Sierra 47, East Union 32

Garcie Costa of the Timberwolves led all scorers with 11 points. Teammates Feben Tesfandrias and Dannet Cesante added 10 points each.

Samantha Escamilla paced the Lancers with nine points.