SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – The 10th-ranked Vanguard women's basketball team showed no signs of post-Thanksgiving feast lethargy, leading wire-to-wire in a 69-56 victory over Wayland Baptist in the opening game of the Jersey Mike's Classic on Friday afternoon.
Senior Melissa Akullu notched a game-high 25 points and junior Sarah Matossian added 15, combining to make 17 of their 25 floor shots. Akullu corralled a game-high 16 rebounds to post her fourth double-double in as many games.
Airiana Madanski, Ashlin Crabtree and Alexa Silva each had two three-pointers for six points apiece.
The Lions scored 20 points off of 16 Pioneer turnovers and had 22 assists on 28 baskets. Seven Lions had at least two assists, with four apiece from Silva, Crabtree and Halle Si'i. Silva played a career-high 34 minutes with Si'i, VU's All-American point guard, in foul trouble for a majority of the game.
The Blue and Gold disrupted Wayland Baptist on offense, forcing the Pioneers into a 2 for 28 (7.1%) performance from distance. The Pioneers shot just 29.0 (20 of 69) percent overall.
VU improved to 3-1 with the victory, while Wayland Baptist, receiving votes in the latest NAIA poll, dropped to 2-1.
What Happened?: The Lions pounced from the outset and led 8-0 one minute into the game. Madanski and Jaryn Madsen sandwiched two threes around an Akullu layup to build the early cushion.
The Blue and Gold built their first double-digit lead, 15-4, at the 5:35 mark on a Si'i layup. Crabtree splashed a triple as VU led 21-9 with just under two minutes remaining in the first quarter. Si'i and Hunter Simon hit back-to-back buckets as the Lions took a 25-12 lead after 10 minutes.
Both teams struggled to find their stroke in the second quarter with the Pioneers shooting 19.0 (4 of 21) percent and the Lions countering at 25.0 (4 of 16) percent. Wayland Baptist was unable to take advantage of VU's misfires as the Lions maintained a 12-point advantage, 37-24, at the break.
Wayland Baptist made a move to bite into VU's lead in the third quarter, outscoring the Lions 17-10. VU had six turnovers over the last half of the period to invite the Pioneers back into the game. The Lions began the period on good terms, scoring the first five points on a Madanski three and Akullu layup. With VU sporting its largest lead of 18 points at 42-24, the Pioneers went on a 13-3 run to cut the deficit to single digits. Megan Nestor made a layup, got fouled and converted the free throw to pull the Pioneers within 45-37.
The Pioneers ended the quarter with two Linda Brice free throws as VU clung to a 47-41 lead.
Matossian collected the first five VU points of the fourth quarter as the lead expanded to 52-43. But the Pioneers answered with back-to-back jumpers from Maria Ghaleb and Brice to close within five, their smallest deficit since trailing 5-0 in the first quarter.
VU clamped down from there, reeling off eight straight points over the next two and a half minutes to lead 60-47. Akullu hit three straight layups and Matossian polished off the run with another. The duo was huge in the fourth period, combining for 19 of VU's 22 points.
Silva hit a three-point bomb with a minute remaining to slam the door shut on the Pioneers.
Why Is It Important?: The Lions held the Pioneers to 56 points after their opponent scored 97 and 78 points in their first two games.
What Was Said?: "We fought through a lot of adversity with Halle and Sarah in foul trouble most of the game," said Head Coach Russ Davis. Alexa stepped up and played huge minutes for us and was clutch. Melissa showed on a national stage that she is an All-American. She was huge for us. We didn't play well, but when you don't play well, you need to give the other team credit. Sarah stepped up her scoring tonight and hit some big shots for us. We held them to 56 points, and that was impressive. Another big matchup for tomorrow for us with Bryan College. These challenges are great for us in the future."
What's Next?: The Lions close out the Jersey Mike's Classic with a game against Bryan College (Tenn.) on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
