CHANDLER, Ariz. – Lauren Baumgartner (SR/Meridian, ID) and Halle Si'i (FR/Long Beach, CA) scored 19 points apiece to lead the 14th-ranked Vanguard women's basketball team past Montana Tech, 65-56, to conclude the Cactus Classic on Wednesday.
Baumgartner tied her career high with five three-pointers while adding five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Si'i sank 9-of-10 from the free throw line as the Lions made 18-of-19 overall for the game. The Lions recorded the sixth-best single-game free throw percentage in school history at 94.7 percent.
Melissa Akullu (JR/Kampala, Uganda) posted eight points and a game-high 16 rebounds, her fifth double-digit rebounding effort this season. Si'i chipped in six rebounds and six assists with just one turnover in 36 minutes of action.
Excelling at the charity stripe offset rough first half shooting, in which the Lions finished 7-of-37 from the field, 18.9%. VU still held a 23-18 lead at halftime as Montana Tech also had shooting struggles. The Orediggers shot 19.2 (5-of-26) percent in the first half.
The Orediggers trailed by as many as 19 but climbed back to within six in the fourth quarter after hitting eight of their 12 three-pointers in the second half alone.
Vanguard improved its shooting percentages in the second half, finishing at 46.2 (12-of-26) percent from the field and converting all 13 free throw attempts, including six in a row in the final minute.
Dani Urick collected a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double to lead Montana Tech. McKayla Kloker added 12 points on four three-pointers. Urick also knocked down four treys.
Vanguard moved to 8-3 on the season while the Orediggers fell to 2-7.
What Happened?: The Orediggers scored the game's first points on a traditional three-point play, but then went nearly seven minutes without a field goal as the Lion defense forced 10 straight misses.
The Lions went almost four minutes without a bucket as well and led just 9-6 when Baumgartner drained a three with 3:30 to go. Tavia Rooney responded with a three of her own to tie the game at 9-9.
Sarah Matossian (SO/Laguna Niguel, CA) knocked down a three to give the Lions a 12-9 lead at the end of one quarter.
Si'i opened the second period with a layup for a five-point VU advantage, but the Blue and Gold fell into a seven-minute drought and did not produce another bucket until Jaryn Madsen (FR/Warden, WA) canned a three at the 2:49 mark.
Fortunately, the Orediggers managed just three baskets the entire period – all on three-pointers and two via Urick. Urick's three whittled an eight-point deficit down to 23-18 at halftime.
The Lions scored five quick points to open up a 28-18 margin – their first double-digit lead – at the 9:12 mark of the third quarter. Urick answered with back-to-back threes to cut VU's lead to four.
The Orediggers crept within 37-34 on Aubrie Rademacher's three with 2:22 remaining, but Madsen knocked down her second triple, followed by a Si'i layup and two Baumgartner free throws. VU took a 44-37 lead into the final quarter.
Baumgartner ignited a 15-2 VU run with a three to open the fourth. Baumgartner tallied two more threes during the surge to pair with two Akullu layups as the Lions led 59-41 with 4:42 to go.
Montana Tech stepped up its defensive pressure and held VU without a field goal the rest of the way, but the Lions salted the game away at the foul line. The Orediggers used a 10-0 run to pull within 59-53 on Kloker's trey with 1:28 remaining.
However, Si'i and Baumgartner combined to go 8-of-8 from the stripe in the fourth.
Why Is It Important?: Seven of VU's eight wins have come on the road. The Lions held an 18-5 advantage in points off turnovers against Montana Tech. After committing a season-high 23 turnovers in a loss to Montana Western on Monday, the Lions tied their season low with 10 against the Orediggers.
What Was Said?: "We gritted it out," said Head Coach Russ Davis. "It has been a rough couple weeks with people in and out of the lineup. Montana Tech is well coached and they never quit. After we got up 18, they battled back. Impressed with them to be honest. We're looking forward to a little break and then getting some healthy players for games after Christmas."
What's Next?: The Lions will end 2022 playing in their fourth tournament, taking part in the Westmont Holiday Classic in Santa Barbara. VU opens the tourney on Thursday, Dec. 29 against Health Sciences and Pharmacy at 5:00 p.m.
