COSTA MESA, Calif. – In a tight game from start to finish, Isaac Davis (SR/Valencia, CA) hit the game-winning shot with 40 seconds remaining as the Vanguard men's basketball team eked out a thrilling 79-77 road victory against OUAZ at Faith Arena on Thursday.
The Lions (12-4, 5-1) churned out their sixth straight win in clutch fashion, gutting out a game in which neither team led by more than six points. There were 11 ties and nine lead changes in the second half alone.
Playing shorthanded without leading scorer Garrett White (SR/Post Falls, ID) (16.6 PPG), the Lions relied on the senior tandem of James Moore (SR/Talco, TX) and Davis. Moore supplied a team-high 17 points and Davis added 16, including a dozen in the second half. The two combined for 16-of-28 shooting.
Three additional Lions scored in double figures with Jordan Caruso (JR/New York, NY) providing 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting off the bench. Caruso also tied for the team lead with five rebounds. Christian Wilson (SR/Temecula, CA) and Phillip Wilson chipped in 11 points apiece.
Vanguard was terrific with the ball, committing a season-low six turnovers. Davis had four assists and zero turnovers while playing a team-high 32 minutes.
In contrast, VU forced 17 OUAZ turnovers and owned a 13-2 advantage in points off turnovers.
The Lions shot 52.4 percent (33-for-63) from the field. VU is now 9-0 this season when shooting 50 percent or better. The team has shot better than 50 percent in six consecutive games.
Devin Collins led all scorers with 18 points. The Spirit also received 15 points from Kam Malbrough and 13 from Josiah De'laCerda. OUAZ fell to 11-5 overall and 2-4 in Golden State Athletic Conference play.
What Happened?: Vanguard built its largest lead of four points on three separate occasions in the second half. Caruso put the Lions up 66-62 on a conventional three-point play with 7:11 remaining.
Collins knocked down a three on the next possession as the Spirit closed within 66-65. After leading for nearly 10 minutes, the Lions fell behind as Malbrough's jumper gave OUAZ a 71-70 advantage at the 4:29 mark.
Willis immediately responded with a jumper for a 72-71 Lion lead, but Collins made a three-pointer to put the Spirit up by two.
Although the Lions made only three triples all game – tying for their second-lowest total this season – Willis knocked down one of them with 2:28 to go as the Lions retook the lead at 75-74. Collins made one-of-two from the line to tie the game at 75-75.
Caruso subbed into the game just under two minutes to go and hit a jumper to hand VU a 77-75 lead with 1:31 to go. Back came OUAZ as Malbrough's layup knotted the game at 77-77.
Following a Lion timeout, the play was drawn up for Davis, who buried a shot from near the left elbow and the 79-77 lead.
The Lions forced a pair of misses from Malbrough and foiled OUAZ's attempts to tie the game in the waning seconds.
Moore scored 11 points in the first half to help the Lions hold off a hot OUAZ team, which managed just a 40-39 halftime lead despite shooting a torrid 64.0 percent through the first 20 minutes.
OUAZ's largest lead was 35-29, but Willis scored four straight points and Moore's layup tied the game at 35-35.
Why Is It Important?: Vanguard moved into a three-way tie for first place in the GSAC at 5-1 with No. 8 William Jessup and No. 25 Hope International. The Lions defeated the Warriors, 86-73, on November 18 at The Pit.
What Was Said?: "This team just keeps finding ways to come through for each other. We are in one of the toughest conferences in the country and every time we've needed different guys to step up in big games, they've done it," said Head Coach Rhett Soliday. "I thought James Moore was dominant offensively tonight, not just when he scored but in the way he kept us organized and poised, and then Isaac hit some huge shots down the stretch to help us hang in there. Ottawa is really good and really well coached. Matt (Keeley) has his team playing so hard, and they really can beat anyone in the country on any given night. We were very fortunate to escape with a win, and now we have to get ready on a quick turnaround to play a great ACU team. Our guys will prepare and are excited for the challenge."
What's Next?: Vanguard continues its roadtrip against No. 10 Arizona Christian on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The Firestorm have won seven in a row.
