Make it 16 blowout wins for the Escalon Cougars this season. They simply couldn't be stopped on Thursday as they easily beat Ripon 52-24 on the road. Given Escalon's advantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 170th, while the Indians are ranked 768th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Sammy Lang was her usual excellent self, dropping a double-double on 16 points and 13 rebounds. Lang is crushing the steal category: she's posted at least two every time she's taken the court this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Arianna Velasco, who almost dropped a double-double on 11 points and nine rebounds.
Escalon pushed their record up to 22-2 with that victory, which was their fifth straight on the road. As for Ripon, they have traveled a rocky road recently having lost eight of their last nine matches, which put a noticeable dent in their 8-16 record this season.
Both teams are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Escalon will take on the Wolves at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Hopefully Livingston focused on turnovers this week since the team gave up 14 on Thursday. As for Ripon, they will look to defend their home court on Friday against the Huskies at 7:30 p.m. Hughson has been getting the ball to fall more lately as they've increased their point totals each of their last three games.
