Photo credited to Ben Rosehart
IRVINE, Calif. – Garrett White (SR/Post Falls, ID) had a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double to lead Vanguard in an 85-74 exhibition loss to Concordia University Irvine on Saturday at CU Arena.
Isaac Davis (SR/Valencia, CA) added 16 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals, while Phillip Willis (SR/San Diego, CA) and Bryson Metz (FR/Vancouver, WA) had nine points apiece.
VU shot 44.6 percent (29-of-65) from the field and 78.6 percent (11-of-14) from the foul line. CUI shot 50.0 percent overall and took 27 free throw attempts, making 20.
Lance Coleman III led five Golden Eagles in double figures with a team-high 23 points.
What Happened?: The Lions positioned themselves to win the game, leading 68-64 on two White free throws with 5:12 to go. But CUI outscored VU 21-6 the rest of the way.
The Golden Eagles responded to that 68-64 deficit with an 8-0 run to take a four-point lead, and never looked back. Cameron Fini had six of the eight points during the run.
White hit a jumper to bring VU to within two, 72-70, but the Golden Eagles hit 9-of-11 from the charity stripe over the last two and half minutes to withstand any Lion comeback.
White scored 13 of his 25 points in the first half as VU trailed 44-35 at the break.
The Lions still trailed by nine with 15:41 remaining in the game, but outscored CUI 17-7 over the next eight minutes to take a 60-59 lead. Davis connected on a pair of threes to help the Lions surge ahead.
What's Next?: Vanguard travels to Pomona-Pitzer on Wednesday for a 7:00 p.m. tip.
