COSTA MESA, Calif. – The grudge match between the 10th ranked Lions (3-0) and the Red Hawks (0-6) was played 24 hours later and the results was strikingly similar. Vanguard won by a 23-point margin to wrap up non-conference play before being into a three-game series against conference foes.
What Happened? The Blue and Gold once again jumped out to a quick start, taking a 12-2 advantage on a pair of free-throws by Airiana Madanksi. Seven consecutive points by Lauren Baumgartner (SO/Meridian, ID) pushed it to a 19-2 margin and the Lions ultimately led by 10 points after the first quarter. Both teams primarily ran zone in the game, with Simpson University deploying a full court press for large sections of the game. Midway through the second period, Ellie Hamel's triple bought the Red Hawks within six points, 29-23, before the Pride rattled off 13 of the next 16 points in the game.
Showing signs of fatigue from playing just 24 hours prior, both teams were whistled for more fouls than usual. As the game crept along, the Lions pushed what was a 16-point edge at halftime to a 23-point difference after three period. In the fourth quarter, the score barely fluctuated with Simpson briefly cutting it to 20 points and the Lions on top by 25 for only two possessions.
Why It's Important? The Lions continue to stay unbeaten which helps them maintain their high ranking in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll heading into the conference season. Vanguard is now 3-0 all-time against Simpson and is also riding a three-game win streak after their first five games were not played due to COVID-19 complications.
Notable Performances: Madanksi led the Pride in scoring for the second straight game, as her hot shooting from behind the arc continued. Rosas once again played Robin to her Batman as she dropped in 14 of her own. In all, five players from Vanguard scored in double figures. Michaella Elad (SR/Ontario, CA) had her streak of consecutive double-doubles snapped as her minutes were limited today.
What They Said: Head coach Russ David "Thanks to Simpson for coming down and playing us back-to-back; they competed both games really hard and I respect that. I am glad we won and I'm really looking forward to getting some of our players back in practice this week so we can get ready for GSAC play." Point guard Baumgartner also said, "In our shoot arounds today we went over our defense again just to make sure we were getting the right traps in the right spots. Getting those rotations. And I think just our hard work and finding the open man and playing together led to another win."
Next Up: Vanguard will play their first road game of the year on February 11th at Hope International, starting at 4:30 p.m.
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