Ripon’s girls basketball team now sits on a two-game cushion from the top of the Trans-Valley League standings after downing rival Escalon on the road Thursday, 43-40.

The host Cougars (3-2 TVL, 10-10 overall) missed a 3-point attempt to tie it at the buzzer.

It was rematch of their New Year’s Eve meeting, when a depleted Escalon squad prevailed 35-29 on the final day of the Tracy Breakfast Lions Tournament.

Danika Escola led Ripon (5-0 TVL, 12-9 overall) with 14 points in the revenge game, helping the Indians establish a 19-12 halftime lead. Kaylee Lehmkuhl added nine points, while Amandjap Dhami scored all of her seven in the second half.

Madi Babosa and Aiden Hohenwater scored eight apiece for Escalon.

Ripon caps the first half of its TVL schedule tonight at Hilmar.

East Union 56, Oakdale 17

The visiting Mustangs were shut out in the opening period, as East Union (6-1, 16-6) rolled to the Valley Oak League win at Dalben Center.

Ava Barrera topped the Lancers’ nine scorers with 13 points. Alexia Zuniga contributed 10 points off the bench, and Shebra Rezaye had nine.

East Union led 29-11 at halftime, then held Oakdale (0-7, 8-15) to four and two points in the final two quarters.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Ripon Christian 74, Orestimba 31

It was all Ripon Christian (4-1 TVL, 15-5 overall) in Newman, as the Knights broke it open with 12-0 and 8-0 runs in the first quarter. A 10-0 burst in the third period widened their lead to 53-19.

They were spearheaded by Jake Vander Veen’s 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Amos Cady keyed the early flurries, scoring 12 of his 18 points in the first half. He also collected nine rebounds and seven assists.

E.J. Bruno and Mason Tameling contributed nine points apiece. Walker Postma had 12 rebounds to go with six points.

Mathew Wales scored 12 points for Orestimba (0-5, 5-14).

JV girls basketball

East Union 27, Oakdale 13

Lucija Dayeh led the Lancers with 11 points, and Jedah Haywood chipped in with eight.

Frosh girls basketball

East Union 34, Oakdale 14

The Lancers surged to a 20-2 halftime lead and coasted from there.

Elle Balyut led the attack with 12 points, while Valeria Escamilla came away with seven steals. Camille Christensen registered eight points and four steals.

Lathrop 40, Beyer 38

Kaliyah Urrutia amassed 13 points, eight rebounds and eight steals, as the Spartans held on to win and improve to 6-1 in the Western Athletic Conference.

Laniyah Stroud-Prince produced 10 points, six boards, six steals, four blocks and three assists. Brittney Valladares pitched in six points, five rebounds and seven steals.