COSTA MESA -- An early season first-place matchup in the Golden State Athletic Conference did not go the way of Vanguard women's basketball Saturday afternoon. The Lions were up 34-21 at halftime after shooting a tick under 40% in the first half, but the Menlo Oaks unleashed a full-court press that VU could not weather. MC would go on to win 75-54 to improve to 10-4 overall and 4-0 in the GSAC. VU drops to 9-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
What Happened? The Lions were seeking some peace after Menlo had upset the Blue and Gold in Atherton in the GSAC Tournament last season and the home side seemed poised to do just that over the first two periods.
Melissa Akullu opened the scoring with a little jumper just outside the key and a layup for
Sarah Matossian would double the VU edge. The Oaks then got on the board but VU would continue to score, racking up a 15-5 lead over the next six minutes. Matossian added a three during the run, Akullu tallied six more, and both
Halle Si'i and
Ashlin Crabtree made shots over the last 90 seconds of the frame to put the Lions ahead 18-7 at the buzzer.
The Oaks started to add some coals to their furnace in the second quarter, but the Lions still outscored their foe. Akullu put down a layup 20 seconds in to give the Lions a 20-7 advantage. Si'i then scored five points on her own in two possessions over the span of a minute and a three by
Jaryn Madsen with 3:45 left in the half increased the VU lead to 16 points at 32-16. That would be the highest the Vanguard lead would be in the contest and the team would reach that mark again only once more early in the third quarter. Akullu concluded the VU scoring with 2:32 to go in the half and Menlo would end the period with a three to send the teams to the break with the Lions up 34-21.
It seemed a safe lead, but the Oaks blew through the second half with the strength of a hurricane and despite some grit shown by the Lions, they were not able to strap down the lead. Si'i scored the opening basket of the half but the Lions would not score for the next six minutes as their 15-point lead flipped to a 44-39 deficit. Si'i would add another jumper and Matossian would nail a three as the quarter came towards a close, but Vanguard would be outscored 30-7 in the third period.
VU would pick up the pace a little in the fourth, netting 13 points, but Menlo would strike for 24, scoring 54 points in one half to equal the game total for the Lions. After making only eight shots in the first half, Menlo would go 20-for-31 in the second half to shoot 49.1% for the game. They also made 10 threes, seven in the second half. Vanguard shot 35.1% from the floor in the game. Akullu still led the Lions with 20 points and picked up another double-double with 10 boards, while Matossian did likewise with 13 points and rebounds. Si'i had 12 points and tied Matossian with three assists.
Why is it Important? The Oaks have now won the past two matchups and four of the past six, though the Lions still own the all-time record at 11-7. The Lions are now tied with Jessup for second in the GSAC standings as JU won today, though VU will hold the tiebreaker until the two teams play again in Rocklin. The Master's and Arizona Christian are both tied at 2-2 in fourth.
What's Next? Vanguard has a chance to get right on Monday in a road game against Bethesda in Anaheim at 5:30 p.m.
