VALE — Jubal Hoisington had 31 points to lead Pendleton to a 79-60 nonleague win Saturday afternoon over Vale.

“Great job by our boys in the second half,” Pendleton coach Ron Murphy said. “We talked about control and the controllable. Jubal was big for us today on offense. Our defense was great in the second half, and our guards were key to that. Garret (Reinhart) was strong for us on the boards.”

The Vikings (7-17) rolled out to a 22-19 lead in the first quarter, getting eight points from Cal Johnson. Vale would take a 40-34 lead at the half, then the momentum shifted.

Dillon Elrod scored nine points, and Hoisington had six, as the Bucks (13-11) went on a 24-12 run to take a 58-50 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Hoisington had seven of his points in the fourth as Pendleton went on a 21-8 scoring spree to secure the win.

The Bucks, who ran their win streak to four games, also got 18 points from Elrod, eight from Teegan Herrera, and seven each from Zane Emry and Aaden Hernandez.

Johnson paced the Vikings with 16 points, while Eli Seals and Canon Hiatt each had 12.

The Bucks return to Greater Oregon League play Wednesday at La Grande.

Girls basketball

VALE 63, PENDLETON 28 — Kesley Stepleton and the top-ranked 3A Vikings were too much for the Bucks to handle in a nonleague road loss.

“This was a tough game,” Pendleton coach Tim Foster said. “We did a lot of good things early — moving the ball, staying connected on defense and getting after rebounds. Eventually, their pressure got to us and they opened up a big lead. They are ranked No. 1 for a reason, and their gym is a tough place to win, but we didn’t play the way we are capable of. We have to turn the page, lock in for a couple great practices and get ready for La Grande.”

The Vikings (23-1) led 14-10 after the first quarter, but their lead grew to 30-17 at the half. Vale put together a 19-3 run in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.

Khimora Scott led the Bucks (11-12) with eight points, while Presley Greenwalt and Chais Surber each had five. Stepleton finished with 18 points, including 12 in the second and third quarters. Elli Jacobs added 12 points, while Bailey Blake chipped in nine.