A rematch between the top two Sierra Valley Conference teams quickly went south for the visitors, as Vista del Lago (5-3 SVC, 9-14) dropped its third straight league game in a 69-41 loss at Cosumnes Oaks (7-2, 17-7).

Six different Cosumnes Oaks players scored at least eight points in a balanced and overwhelming offensive game, in which Vista went down by as much as 18 points in the first half. The Wolfpack got its revenge for a previous one-point upset loss to Vista, but only squashed Vista’s hopes for the win – not of making playoffs.

“We thought we were going to win,” said Vista’s Drew McPherson, who again led his team in scoring alongside Patrick Lowman. Both players scored 13 points. McPherson scored 22 points the first time the two teams played.

“We’ve got four games left and a shot to make playoffs, so we’re just going to go from here. [The loss] is disappointing, but we’ll get into practice and get ready for these next four teams,” said McPherson.

The circumstances in which Vista could make the playoffs are not yet dyer, but dropping to the middle of the SVC pack certainly didn’t help its chances.

The loss was Vista’s worst point margin so far in league. Scoring didn’t exactly come easy against Cosumnes this time around.

Vista scored 16 points from the foul line on a solid 16-of-23 shooting night. Early on it appeared whichever team was going to start missing three-pointers would probably struggle. Cosumnes hit 4-of-7 in the first quarter toward a 22-10 lead after just eight minutes of play. Vista made 2-of-4 in the first and 2-of-5 in the second, but couldn’t find as many in the second half.

Cosumnes held its opponent to 10 points in the first and third quarters, but did its best work allowing a meager seven points in the final quarter.

There were only two other Vista scorers – Tyler Jones had six points, Mitch May had two.

Vista’s road is a bit smoother ahead, emphasis on a bit.

The Eagles are on the road for the next two against teams they’ve already beaten – Galt (1-8), which they blew out 97-51 in a previous meeting, and Liberty Ranch (2-5), which they beat 59-52.

They close league at home beginning with a pivotal game against Union Mine (5-3) and conclude with River City (3-5).