TRACY — Coming off a frustrating loss, East Union came into its finale in the Tom Hawkins/Tracy Breakfast Lions Tournament with a sense of urgency on Tuesday.

The Lancers dominated Pacheco in all facets for three quarters at Tracy High’s Swenson Gym and coasted to a 58-38 victory that has them in a celebratory mood going into the new year and their Valley Oak League opener.

After impressive wins over eventual tourney champ El Capitan and Kimball, East Union (10-5) stumbled to a 42-41 setback against Pittsburg on Monday. That disappointing result ultimately dropped the Lancers into the third-place game.

“We just had a crushing loss where we felt we didn’t do the things that we normally do well,” EU coach Jim Agostini said. “We can tip our hat to the other team, maybe they forced us to do those things, but we just wanted to see as a staff how we would respond.

“How do we respond to a tough loss, on the fourth game of a tournament against a team that’s on a roll? I just love the way the girls came out and played. They did respond well. They came out with good, positive energy, were solid on defense and we tried some new things that we haven’t done.”

Pacheco (9-4) came into the game having won seven of eight but had trouble handling the Lancers’ defensive pressure from the outset. The Panthers had 10 turnovers in the first quarter and finished with 27 overall. East Union held them without a field goal for a 4-minute, 8-second stretch while surging to a 23-7 lead. The Lancers were ahead 35-16 by halftime.

Freshman point guard Haven Stone set the tone offensively, scoring 15 of her 19 points in the first half. She also distributed four assists.

“She’s our freshman, and she played with great energy, she loves the game, she plays with passion, and she has a high basketball IQ,” Agostini said. “She reads the game, and if she feels that maybe she has an upper-hand on the person that’s guarding her, she’s willing to take on that challenge.”

All-tournament selection Ava Barrera contributed 12 points and seven rebounds. Zyondupree Beasley added 11 points, nine rebounds, five steals, four assists and two blocks. Jayda Anderson chimed in with six points, five rebounds and five steals.

Junior forward Jerney Luckett provided a spark off the bench and played a part in the Lancers building their lead in the second quarter. She finished with four points and seven rebounds. Her contributions were key against Pacheco’s front line that includes freshmen Mary Tava (15 points, four blocks) and Nikki Nance (two points, seven rebounds)

“Very solid effort from Jerney,” Agostini said. “She’s just stacking bricks on the wall in this tournament with positive minutes here and there. She’s a junior that is learning what we do, and we like what we’ve seen, so far.”

East Union begins its VOL co-title defense on the road Thursday against Oakdale (7-8).

Escalon 35, Ripon 29

Escalon (7-8) was down two key starters and had to call up a junior varsity player to have a substitute available for the fifth-place contest, but Ripon (6-9) was unable to capitalize.

Sophomore guard Arianna Velasco picked up the slack, scoring a game-high 24 points to go with 12 rebounds, three steals and three blocks. She kept the Indians at bay in the second half by making nine of 10 free throws and finished 13-of-15 from the stripe.

Shayla McKeon led Ripon with nine points 11 rebounds and three blocks before fouling out with 2:41 left in the game.

The Indians started the game strong on both ends of the court and led 10-4, but Velasco provided a needed jolt for Escalon with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from near the midcourt logo at the end of the first quarter.

That was during a 5-minute dry spell from Ripon, which could not get back on track offensively for the rest of the game. Scarlett Ponce made the Indians’ only field goal of the second quarter with a baseline drive, and they trailed 19-13 at halftime.

The offensive struggles continued for both teams in the second half, as each scored just five points in the third period. Missed uncontested layups and unforced turnovers kept Ripon from getting over the hump.

The Indians tip off the TVL schedule on Jan. 7 at Hughson (1-10).

Kimball 50, Manteca 40

A 20-9 third-quarter margin helped Kimball (8-3) pull away for the win in the ninth-place game. This battle of former VOL rivals was tied at 18-18 at halftime.

Michailla Springs erupted for 20 points to lead Manteca (5-9). Jaesha Dunn contributed six points and 13 rebounds. Saniyah Anthony collected nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Kalaja Reese racked up five steals and two blocks.

Manteca begins league play Thursday at home against Mountain House (11-4).