Basketball Recap: Dinuba Wins Going Away Against Tulare Union

After losing to Tulare Union the last time they met, Dinuba decided to demonstrate that turnabout is fair play. The Dinuba Emperors were the clear victor by a 62-38 margin over the Tulare Union The Tribe on Thursday. Given the Emperors' advantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 254th, while the The Tribe are ranked 613th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Dinuba had a senior duo take command as Jalissa Espirito almost dropped a double-double on 20 points and nine steals and Sydnee Sandoval went 9 for 11 on her way to 23 points and five steals. As a matter of fact, that's the most points Sandoval has scored all season. The team also got some help courtesy of Samantha Gonzalez, who posted eight points and seven rebounds.

Emperors

Assists

12/29/23 vs Sanger West	18
12/19/24 vs Tulare Union	15
12/19/24 vs Sanger West	14
11/23/24 vs Lompoc	14
12/22/23 vs Redwood	14

Dinuba was working as a unit and finished the game with 15 assists. That's the most assists they've posted since back in December of 2023.

Tulare Union lost despite a true team effort on offense, the best among them being Jazzlynn Miller, who had five points in addition to seven boards and six steals. Miller is becoming a predictor of Tulare Union's success: when she posts at least three steals the team is 6-3 (and 1-4 when she doesn't). Another player making a difference was Kailee Gilbert, who posted four points in addition to nine boards and three steals.

The win got Dinuba back to even at 4-4. As for Tulare Union, they have traveled a rocky road recently having lost six of their last seven matchups, which put a noticeable dent in their 7-7 record this season.

Dinuba wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next contest, a 48-31 victory against Reedley on the 20th. As for Tulare Union, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next game, a 43-32 defeat against Liberty on the 20th.