COSTA MESA, Calif. – The Vanguard women's basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak in resounding fashion, unleashing the fury in an 86-55 rout of OUAZ on Saturday afternoon at The Pit.
Playing without two of top scorers in Melissa Akullu (SO/Kampala, Uganda) and Gabriela Rosas (SR/Chihuahua, Mexico) and adding them to the ever growing list of walking wounded, the Lions came out with purpose and intensity from the tip.
The result? The Lions feasted from start to finish on a youthful Spirit squad, shooting 50 percent (28-of-56) overall and 40.0 percent (10-of-25) from three-point territory.
It was VU's second-best shooting performance this season. VU also improved to 5-0 when hitting 10 or more threes.
Airiana Madanski (SO/Gilbert, AZ) continued to play at a high level. The guard scored a season-high 25 points, hitting five threes. She has scored 20 or more in three of her four and five of her last eight games.
In addition, the workhorse has played 40 or more minutes in four straight games.
Estefania Giner (JR/Chihuahua, Mexico) also was a standout this afternoon. She poured in 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, adding a game-high nine rebounds in a near double-double performance.
Lauren Baumgartner (JR/Meridian, ID) scored an efficient 16 points on 4-of-6 shooting. She knocked down two treys and hit all six of her free throw attempts.
And in a career-best effort off the bench, Arielle Hines (FR/Long Beach, CA) scored 13 points to go along with five rebounds and two steals in 26 minutes.
What Happened?: Plagued by slow starts often this season, the Lions pounced early and held a 30-10 lead after one quarter. VU shot 72.7 percent in the first 10 minutes.
VU led 10-2 at the 6:33 mark on a pair of Baumgartner free throws. Baumgartner struck for a three to increase the Lion edge to 26-9 with 1:04 to go, and a pair of Alyssa Salgado (JR/Whittier, CA) free throws ended the quarter. Baumgartner had 12 of her 16 points in the first quarter alone.
Baumgartner stayed hot to start the second quarter. She hit back-to-back shots to give the Lions a 36-12 lead with 7:17 to go.
Madanski's three increased VU's advantage to 45-21. The Spirit scored the final six points before heading into the locker room down 45-27.
Alexa Silva (FR/Lemoore, CA) knocked down consecutive threes midway through the third quarter as VU led 57-33. The lead never dipped below 20 the rest of the way.
Hines got inside for an offensive rebound and putback to make it 59-34 in favor of the Lions with 3:12 to go in the third. Hines hit another layup to provide VU a 65-39 lead after three.
Hines made another layup as VU extended the lead to 31 at 70-39 to start the fourth. Madanski scored six more points in the quarter.
The Lion defense played well, holding the Spirit to 35.8 percent (19-of-53) shooting for the game.
Why Is It Important?: Vanguard played well in all facets despite playing shorthanded. The Lions also set season-highs for free throws made (20) and free throws attempted (28).
What Was Said?: "So proud of our team today. We were facing so much adversity not having Gabriela and Melissa," said Head Coach Russ Davis. "They stepped up and played hard for 40 minutes. Arielle was fantastic off the bench and received a game ball after the game. Great effort today from everyone. And Airiana is playing great. She has stepped up her game."
What's Next?: The Lions square off against No. 5 Westmont in a showdown on the Central Coast next Thursday, February 10 at 5:30 p.m.
