COSTA MESA -- Vanguard's first win as a provisional member of the NCAA DII came against Westcliff on a Thursday night at the Freed Center. VU led by 20 at the half, and despite a strong showing from Westcliff in the second period, the Blue and Gold took the contest 70-59. The win puts Vanguard at 1-4, as they claimed their 33rd straight victory in their home openers.
The Lions had four players reach double-figures in scoring for the first time this season, as Hallee Si'I led with 15 points and 6 rebounds.
Emma Schaaf capped her first collegiate double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.
Aryanna Hudson and
Jaryn Madsen each finished with 12 points apiece. Westcliff's Haley Berfield continued her hot streak for the Warriors, as she fired 24 points going 10-20 from the field.
Vanguard won most major statistical categories for the 40 minutes, including season highs in field goal percentage (45.8%), three-point percentage (36.4%) free throws made (18), and steals (15). Both teams would struggle to take care of the rock, as they combined for 56 turnovers. VU's season-high 30 turnovers led to 31 Warrior points.
What Happened? Schaaf and Madsen had the hot hand in the first quarter, as both scored six points each, including a combined 4-7 from deep. Hudson got in on the three-point barrage with a triple to make it 17-7 VU and
Hunter Simon added two more after a strong rebound and floated putback.
Hudson and Matossian were on the same wavelength in the second quarter, as the pair put together 10 of the opening 12 points of the interval for VU, including a crisp cut and finish by Matossian. Madsen's off-ball movement left gaps in the Warrior defenses, as the junior scored first in the lane, then off a catch and shoot to make it 45-28 VU. Berfield trimmed the deficit for WC with a couple of jumpers, but the Lions led 49-29 at the break.
The third quarter was slow for both teams, as each wrestled with intense scoring droughts and tallied only 19 points altogether. In the half Vanguard shot just 26% (5-19) and 9% downtown (1-11). Si'I's aggression helped the home side keep control, as she scored six of VU's 11 third-quarter points and finished on a rack attack to make it 56-31 Vanguard. The Blue and Gold earned their largest game lead at 29 (60-31) with an
Ashlin Crabtree three-pointer from the corner.
Westcliff outscored Vanguard 22-10 in the fourth quarter and kept the Lions scoreless from behind the arc (0-4). The Warrior's best run came after two straight turnovers forced, as they cut the lead to single digits at 68-59. VU, however, remained acute from the free throw line, going 6-8, as Si'I sunk four from the foul line to cut any chance of a late comeback.
What's Next? Vanguard will begin their first Pacific West Conference campaign on the road at the Academy of Art on Thursday, December 5, at 5:30 pm.
