Both games were at home but the outcomes were different, as Riverbank’s varsity Lady Bruins basketball team took its first Trans-Valley League loss this week. The squad fell to Modesto Christian on Tuesday, then came back with a victory over visiting Hughson on Thursday.

Against the Modesto Christian squad – which is playing its last season in the TVL before moving to a higher division – Riverbank hung tough in the first half, trailing by just three points at the break in the Jan. 21 contest. MC outscored the Lady Bruins 16-11 in the first quarter and Riverbank had the upper hand, 12-10, in the second to trail it 26-23 at the half.

But the taller, sharp shooting and well-oiled MC machine steamrolled past the host Riverbank squad with runs of 20-12 over the third quarter, 30-12 in the fourth to take the victory. It was the first league loss this season for the varsity girls, who are playing well under first year head coach Lupe Galindo and angling for a top seed into the playoffs.

Modesto Christian had three players in double figures in the victory. Riverbank countered with double digit efforts from the Luu sisters, 18 from Janelle and 16 from Olivia.

Bouncing back with a solid effort against Hughson on Thursday, Jan. 23, the girls earned a 20-point victory over the visiting Huskies. They started with a strong 17-9 run in the first quarter and took a 31-19 lead at the half, maintaining a few points’ edge in both the third and fourth quarters for the win. They improved to 17-2 overall with the split and are now 5-1 in league play.

The Riverbank junior varsity girls, meanwhile, were overwhelmed by MC in a 60-0 decision while battling tough but falling just short against Hughson, 35-33.

Next up, the teams travel to Escalon for TVL contests on Thursday, Jan. 30.