SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Vanguard men's basketball team used a strong second half to pull away down the stretch, handing Golden State Athletic Conference rival Westmont a 76-61 defeat on Saturday night at Murchison Gym.
Clinging to a four-point lead with four a half minutes to go, the Lions went on a game-ending 18-7 run that shut the door on the Warriors. The Lions knocked down 11-of-12 free throws over the final 3:16 to keep Westmont at bay.
Garrett White (SR/Post Falls, ID) led the Lions with a game-high 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting. It was his sixth 20-point performance in nine games and he added nine rebounds as VU owned a 38-31 edge on the glass.
Three more Lions finished in double figures with Isaac Davis (SR/Valencia, CA) providing 14 points. In addition, the point guard had four rebounds, five assists and a steal. Phillip Willis (SR/San Diego, CA) posted 13 points and five rebounds, while Bryson Metz (FR/Vancouver, WA) had 12 crucial points in 20 reserve minutes.
Metz and Jadyn Johnson (JR/Temecula, CA) gave the Lions a much needed lift off the bench, helping the Lion reserves outscore Westmont's 17-10 for the game.
VU shot 48.9 (23-of-47) percent for the game, including 57.1 percent in the decisive second half. The Lions also had another quality effort from distance, hitting 8-of-13 three-pointers. VU also set season-highs for free throws made (22) and attempted (30).
VU's defense held Westmont to 39.1 (25-of-64) percent shooting. The Warriors made just 5-of-28 from three for the game.
Westmont's Amir Davis scored a team-best 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting and Anthony McIntyre had 15. Jalen Townsell led all players with 10 rebounds.
VU picked up its first win in GSAC play to improve to 5-4 overall and 1-3 in conference. The Warriors fell to 8-5 and are now 2-3 in league action.
What Happened?: The Lions and Warriors combined for five ties and five lead changes in the opening minutes of the second half, when two Willis free throws gave VU a 39-38 lead with 13:48 to go.
The Lions would not relinquish the lead from there, but not without a fight from Westmont.
VU utilized an 11-4 run to widen the lead to eight points at the 10:10 mark. White and Willis canned back-to-back threes, and Johnson followed with a putback layup. White completed the run with another triple as VU led 50-42.
The Warriors scored five straight to cut their deficit to 50-47 and force a VU timeout.
Unwilling to relinquish their grip on the lead, the Lions leaned on Metz and Johnson for six straight points, as well as a key defensive stop by Davis.
Out of the timeout, Johnson's no-look pass found Metz for a triple from the left corner. Davis drew a charge on Tone Patton on Westmont's next trip down the court.
Johnson rebounded a Metz miss and drew the foul on a putback attempt, making 1-of-2 free throws. A couple of possessions later, Johnson drew another whistle on a successful block out on a Warrior three-point attempt. With VU in the bonus, Johnson sank both free throws to put VU up 56-47.
The Warriors made one last push, trimming the deficit to 58-54 on two McIntyre free throws with 4:39 remaining. But that triggered VU's game-ending burst, as Metz and Davis hit back-to-back jumpers, followed by two Metz free throws.
Preston Sims (JR/Orange, CA) hit a dagger three to give VU a 69-59 lead with 1:33 left.
The Lions started the game hitting seven of their first 12 shots to race out to a 15-5 lead. Westmont countered with a 7-0 run to get within three, and Patton's layup gave the Warriors their first lead at 19-18.
Willis sank a triple as VU retook the lead at 24-23. The Lions went into halftime with a 29-25 advantage.
Why Is It Important?: VU got a much needed GSAC win, and has now shot 48 percent or better in its five victories this season.
What's Next?: The Lions return to GSAC action on Saturday, December 17, hosting San Diego Christian at Orange Coast College for a 2:00 p.m. tip.
