COSTA MESA – Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse has a famous catchphrase called "Kick it up a notch" when he adds flavor to one of his culinary dishes.
The 10th-ranked Vanguard women's basketball team applied that advice in Thursday's 66-54 victory over Jessup at Orange Coast College, kicking their defensive effort up several notches to chomp away at a halftime deficit.
The Lions starved the Warriors in the third period, outscoring them 21-9 and adding a little spice of their own after a somewhat bland first half left the Blue and Gold trailing 31-28.
Vanguard forced eight Jessup third quarter turnovers and converted them into 10 points with an aggressive half court trap. The Lions sped the Warriors up and denied them the quality looks they saw in the first half.
Melissa Akullu, Halle Si'i and Jaryn Madsen tied for team-high scoring honors with 17 points apiece. Madsen knocked down a career-high tying five threes and set a season-high for points.
Akullu added a game-high 14 rebounds to collect her eighth double-double, while Si'i chipped in four rebounds and four assists.
Super steady Sarah Matossian tallied eight points, five rebounds and a career-high tying seven steals, matching her output on December 21 against Health Sciences and Pharmacy.
VU shot 50.0 (8 of 16) percent in the crucial third period while limiting the Warriors to 36.4 (4 of 11) percent efficiency. Akullu and Matossian had three steals apiece.
The Blue and Gold improved to 9-2 overall and 3-0 in the Golden State Athletic Conference, tied with Menlo for first place. The Warriors fell to 15-2 and 2-1 in league play.
What Happened?: To borrow another Lagasse slogan, "Bam!" Is the operative word when putting the finishing touches on a dish, or making it pop. VU did just that, combining the ingredients of defense and three-point shooting for the ultimate chef's kiss.
The Lions hit hard to open the second half, getting an Airiana Madanski three to tie the score at 31-31. The teams traded baskets as Jessup clung to a 36-35 lead on Naomi Davidson's jumper with 8:15 remaining. VU held the Warriors scoreless for the next three minutes and reeled off six straight points in the process – four coming from Akullu layups – to take a 41-36 lead.
After Makaila Napoleon broke the Jessup drought with a jumper, the Lions capitalized on a Matossian steal as Madsen buried a three to give VU a 44-38 advantage.
VU held the Warriors to just four points over the final eight minutes and 15 seconds, and a Si'i jumper with 26 seconds left handed the Blue and Gold a 49-40 lead entering the final quarter.
Si'i scored five straight points in the fourth to help VU open up a double-digit lead at 56-44 with 7:37 left to play.
Maddy Meadows hit a triple with 5:48 on the clock to trim Jessup's deficit to 56-47, but the Warrior offense stalled for the next four minutes. VU scored the next six points to expand the cushion to 62-47. Madsen was the culprit, offering her own version of "Bam!" with back-to-back three-pointers.
Both teams battled through five lead changes in the first quarter in settling for a 13-13 tie. Each squad shot 5 of 16 in the opening stanza. Matossian led the Lions with six points.
Napoleon got loose for nine points in the second period as the Warriors outscored the Lions 18-15 to take a three-point lead at halftime. Madsen had two of her five threes in the quarter to keep VU close.
Why Is It Important?: The Lions won for the second game in a row after trailing at halftime. VU overcame a 29-24 halftime deficit against The Master's in last Saturday's 65-64 triumph.
What Was Said?: "Good win for us tonight," said Head Coach Russ Davis. "Had a huge fourth quarter. I felt they were out hustling us in the first half. We changed our defense in the second half and that got us more aggressive. Jaryn hit huge shots for us and that was a game changer along with our defense. Jessup had only one loss on the season coming in. We have a lot of respect for them and the season they are putting together."
What's Next?: The Lions host Menlo in a showdown for sole possession of first place in the GSAC on Saturday at Orange Coast College. Tip off is slated for noon.
