The Patterson High boys basketball team found out Tuesday morning that it is ranked No. 7 in the Sac-Joaquin Section power ratings, the computer formula that decides which teams go to the playoffs.

And Tuesday night, the Tigers took care of business on the court with the hopes they maintain a spot among the top eight and the home playoff game that goes with it.

Robert Krager scored a game-high 28 points, pushing Patterson to a 70-50 Western Athletic Conference victory over Gustine at Patterson High School.

The Tigers (17-3, 8-0) led by just eight points heading into the fourth quarter, but Krager and Felix Mapanda (16 points in the game) combined to score 13 of Patterson's 22 points.

Felix Figueroa had 16 points for Gustine.

Western Athletic Conference

HILMAR 47, ORESTIMBA 46, at Hilmar -- The Yellowjackets (13-7, 5-3 WAC) led the Warriors (2-6 WAC) by about 10 in the fourth quarter, then held on for the win. Orestimba had only five seconds for a final shot and couldn't get it off.

Justin Rodrigues had 12 points for Hilmar and Quinton McCown grabbed 13 rebounds. Tyler Brazil had 21 points for Orestimba.

LIVINGSTON 50, CENTRAL CATHOLIC 41, at Central Catholic -- Dorian Campos scored 17 points, and Brian Rivera finished with 13 to lead the Wolves (9-11, 6-2), who will host WAC leader Patterson on Friday.

Dan Hulst's 10 points led the Raiders (12-8, 3-5).

Trans-Valley League

RIPON 56, HUGHSON 44, at Ripon -- The Indians (11-7, 6-0 TVL) opened up a 13-0 lead en route to their victory over the Huskies (13-4, 4-3) as Ryan Baker hit two 3-pointers during that run. Hughson got to within 29-26 early in the third, but never recovered after Kyle Mendel's 3-pointer put Ripon up by six.

Baker finished with 16 points.

MODESTO CHR. 99, ESCALON 54, at Escalon -- Reeves Nelson had 36 points -- 18 in the first quarter -- as the Crusaders (13-4, 6-0 TVL) thumped the Cougars (5-14, 2-5).

James Harrison, Escalon's 6-foot-7 center, had 12 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks.

Escalon coach Martin Louro said his team was sometimes able to beat the MC press in the first half -- MC led 47-34 at intermission -- but that a straight-up defense frustrated the Cougars in the second half.

RIVERBANK 47, RIPON CHR. 32, at Ripon Christian -- Francisco Pineda scored 13 points in helping the Bruins down the Knights in a TVL game. Matt DeJong had 13 points for RC.

Southern League

DENAIR 67, DELHI 40, at Denair -- Mason Wooten made three 3-pointers in the first quarter, when the Coyotes (5-3 SL) outscored the Hawks (1-7) 25-9, and scored a game-high 29 points. Wooten was 5 for 8 on 3-point tries overall and had nine rebounds and four assists.

MARIPOSA 67, TURLOCK CHR. 57, at Turlock Christian -- Mike McNally and Cody Wichmann had 18 points to help the Grizzlies (7-0 SL) beat TC (2-6 SL) in a back-and-forth game. In the last few minutes, Turlock Christian turnovers and Mariposa free throws helped decide the outcome.

Eli Davis and Ben Larson had 13 points each for the Eagles.

Mother Lode League

BRET HARTE 73, LINDEN 33, at Bret Harte -- Tim Minton had 19 points and Clint Eastman 18 to help the Bullfrogs (11-8, 3-5 MLL) top the Lions (1-17, 0-7).

Harvest Christian League

BROOKSIDE CHR. 79, BIG VALLEY CHR. 69, at Brookside Christian -- The Knights led 39-35 at the half and kept the lead the final two quarters. Parris Hill had 27 points for Brookside (10-3, 6-0) and Jared Lunsford 25 for the Lions (15-4, 5-1).

Lunsford canned seven of his team's 12 3-pointers.