COSTA MESA, Calif. – The Vanguard men's basketball team rolled to a 120-83 victory over Bethesda on Tuesday at The Pit, posting the second-highest point total in the program's single-game history.
The 120 points was tantalizingly close to the all-time record. The Lions scored 121 points in a win over Westcliff on December 12, 2017.
Once again, the Lions displayed impressive balance in reaching their scoring output. Eight players scored in double figures, including the starting five of Isaac Davis (SR/Valencia, CA), Masie Mohammadi (SR/San Carlos, CA), Phillip Willis (JR/San Diego, CA), James Moore (SR/Talco, TX) and Christian Wilson (SR/Temecula, CA).
The game's leading scorer came off the VU bench. In just 16 minutes, center Andre Allen (SR/Los Angeles, CA) notched 18 points and nine rebounds. Jordan Caruso (JR/New York, NY) and Jon Scherer (JR/Mission Viejo, CA) also bolstered the bench unit with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
In addition to scoring 14 points, Moore added 12 rebounds to nab his second double-double of the season. Willis also earned a double-double with 13 points and a career-high 10 boards.
The Lions shared the ball generously with 23 assists on 37 baskets, Davis handing out nine helpers to go along with 10 points.
VU improved to 11-0 on the season when hitting on 50 percent or better from the field. The Lions shot 50 percent on the dot tonight. They also connected on 12 threes, led by four from Mohammadi, and three apiece from Nico Dasca (JR/Costa Mesa, CA) and Scherer.
Vanguard also held a sizable 54-29 edge in rebounding and shot 85 percent (34-of-40) from the free throw line. The 34 makes and 40 attempts are both season-highs.
Bethesda had four players score in double-digits, led by Sam Skipper with 15 points.
What Happened?: The Lions blew open a close game at intermission, outscoring the Flames 70-39 in the second half.
Bethesda narrowed the gap to 50-47 on Christopher Blount's three-pointer to start the second half, but Vanguard responded with a 10-2 run as Moore's layup bumped the lead back to 60-49.
Skipper's dunk crept the Flames within seven at 60-53 with 16:05 remaining. Then the Lions turned on the jets and sped away, using a 16-4 spurt for a 74-57 advantage at the 12:10 mark.
The bench mob of Allen, Caruso and Scherer accounted for 15 straight Lion points at one point – and when Allen sank two free throws with 9:58 left – the Lions led 81-63.
Allen was 10-of-12 from the foul line.
Moore widened the lead to 20 at 85-65 on a layup. With 5:28 remaining, Davis hit two free throws to push the lead to 31 as VU went up 100-69.
Juwon Ganiyu (JR/Lagos, Nigeria) scored his first bucket of the season with 2:00 on the clock as VU led 113-81, and the Lions eventually settled for the 37-point victory, their largest of the season.
Why Is It Important?: The win keeps VU's momentum going as the team has won eight of its last 10 heading into the second half of Golden State Athletic Conference play. Vanguard is the GSAC leader in points per game (85.2) and three-point field goal percentage (.397).
What Was Said?: "I'm proud of our guys and their unselfish play tonight," said Head Coach Rhett Soliday. "To have eight guys in double figures after having seven in double figures the game before really is a testament to our guys commitment to sharing the ball and competing with a we over me mindset. We are excited to get going with round 2 of GSAC play. We have so much to play four and our guys are excited to make a push."
What's Next?: The Lions host Life Pacific on Saturday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m. VU's STUNT team, which won the 2021 national championship, will be honored in a special ring ceremony at halftime of the game.
