SAN DIMAS, Calif. – Melissa Akullu (JR/Kampala, Uganda) posted game-highs of 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Vanguard women's basketball team past Life Pacific, 65-31, giving the Lions a road win in Saturday's Golden State Athletic Conference opener.
Akullu scored 15 of her points in the first half as the Lions opened up a 34-14 lead at halftime and never looked back. The junior center shot 11-of-15 from the field and added a game-high four steals.
Halle Si'i (FR/Long Beach, CA) had a solid all-around game with 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and just one turnover in 34 minutes of action.
Estefania Giner (SR/Chihuahua, Mexico) had eight points and seven rebounds off the bench, while guard Lauren Baumgartner (SR/Meridian, ID) contributed eight points and nine rebounds.
The Lions offset a rough shooting night from distance by getting to the basket with regularity. Despite shooting 3-for-31 from three-point range, the Lions made 20 layups and held a 40-6 advantage in points in the paint. VU shot 61.5 (24-of-39) percent from inside the three-point arc.
The Lions forced Life Pacific into 21 turnovers and converted those into 17 points. The Warriors managed to score just one point off of 17 VU miscues.
VU held Life Pacific to 18.6 (8-of-43) percent shooting from the floor.
The 31 points VU allowed marked the fewest to a GSAC opponent since defeating Life Pacific 110-29 on February 5, 2019.
What Happened?: The Lions jumped all over the Warriors from the opening tap and led 9-0 just two minutes into the game. VU harassed Life Pacific into seven turnovers in the first period alone. Akullu and Baumgartner combined for 13 points in building a 15-8 lead after one quarter, despite making just one field goal over the final six minutes.
Alexa Silva (SO/Lemoore, CA) hoisted up a three to expand VU's lead to 18-8 to begin the second period. Mikayla Murphy sank two free throws to cut the deficit to 18-10, but that marked the last time the Warriors stayed within single digits.
The Lions bookended a 12-0 run with layups from Si'i and Akullu to lead 30-10 with 2:37 remaining before halftime. VU's defense suffocated Life Pacific as the Warriors were 0-of-8 from the field in the second quarter.
LPU's offense in the period consisted of six free throws – two from Murphy and four more from Rachel Spinosa. The Blue and Gold outscored the Warriors 19-6 to maintain a 20-point lead at halftime.
All six VU field goals in the third period resulted in layups as the visitors pushed the advantage to 49-25. Si'i was 4-of-5 from the field for eight points.
The Lions kept up the defensive pressure in the final quarter, limiting the Warriors to 2-of-10 shooting and keeping their opponent to single digits for the third time. VU outscored Life Pacific 16-6 in the fourth. Giner knocked down two free throws to create VU's largest lead of the game at 65-28.
Why Is It Important?: The Lions continue to lock in on defense, as their first three opponents have shot a combined 27 percent overall.
What's Next?: The Lions head to northern California for the Jessup Thanksgiving Classic next week. VU opens the tournament against Oregon Tech on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and closes with Simpson at noon on Saturday.
