COSTA MESA, Calif. - After breaking into the NAIA top 25 for the first time this year at No. 15, Vanguard extended its winning streak to 15 after taking down Ottawa University Arizona. They also remain undefeated in conference at 3-0 with the 79-63 win.
Malachi Hoosein (SR/Norwalk,CA) set the temp early for the Lions, hitting a three-pointer with only two seconds left on the shot clock on the first drive. After the Spirit got on the board, he drove down the court for two more off a layup. After trading points with Ottawa, points from Kaleb Wilborn (JR/Chino, CA), James Moore (SO/Talco, TX) and Isaiah Gentry (JR/Milwaukie, OR) earned VU a 14-6 lead. Ottawa had a 4-0 run, but Gentry's to sunk free throws stretched the lead back to six. Vanguard, led by Gentry and Hoosein, established a 26-13 advantage halfway through the first. Brandon Brothers (JR/Pasadena, CA) made it 15 with a deep shot on the pass from Connor Kennedy (SR/San Marcos, CA) with 7:30 to go. Wilborn closed out the half with a lay off on the assist from Geremy McKay (SR/Melbourne, Australia) to send the team into the break with a 39-23 lead.
The Spirit started the second with a 12-5 scoring run to slash the Lion lead down to 13. But back to back Lion points from Hoosein and Kennedy forced an Ottawa timeout. Vanguard continued to roll, establishing a 20 point lead on the steal from Gentry turned layup from Hoosein. At the 5:00 minute mark, the Spirit hit a three-pointer to cut the Lion lead to 13. Mckay responded with a basket, but Ottawa closed in with two more. Gentry made both of his free throws to give Vanguard extra cushion for the last two minutes and Hoosein extended with his third deep shot of the game before sealing the victory 79-63. Hoosein had 22 points and Gentry grabbed 13 with five rebounds. Mckay totaled 15 with nine rebounds, three assists and two steals.
"It felt good to be back out there after the break," Gentry said. "It was good to have a few games to get warmed up for the GSAC. But now that we're here, we're ready. Communication, crashing the boards and moving the ball as a team helped us get this wnin. We're going to keep building as a team, communicating as a team and working as a team."
Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 5th the Lions go against the No. 12 Arizona Christian Firestorm. The GSAC match is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Costa Mesa, CA. ACU is 13-1 overall and 1-1 in conference.
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