Los Angeles, Calif. --- Anthony Tello scored 28 points as Vanguard shot 52.9% (36-68) and topped Cal State LA 90-74 at University Gym. The Pacific West Conference Team of the week led for all but 14 seconds of the contest and asserted themselves in the first half, leading by 19 at the break. Jackson Larsen had a season-high 16 points going 8-for-11 from the field. He also notched nine rebounds and two blocks. Leonard Turner added 15 points and nine boards. Chris Chiles was the fourth Lion to score double figures, as he ended the night with 10 points, five assists, and three steals. Bryson Metz helped pull the strings with a career-best six assists.

VU's first road win of the year steered them to 3-0, while the Golden Eagles dropped to 2-3 and ended their two-game winning streak.

Both teams produced season-highs in turnovers (20-19 Cal State LA) but the Golden Eagles cashed in on more fast break points (23-11). Though the Blue and Gold shot a season-low 26% (5-of-19) from deep, they were monstrous on the inside, leading points in the paint 56-30. The Golden Eagles and Lions shot an identical 72% (13-18) from the free-throw line.

What Happened? The game's first three minutes were the tightest, as Turner hit a jumper from close range to make it 6-3 VU. The Lions began pulling away after a few baskets downhill opened the space on the floor. Devin Carson buried a triple with 9:29 left in the first half to set the score to 28-9 and cap a 22-4 Vanguard run. The Golden Eagles swung back with five buckets unanswered to cut the lead to 10 (28-18) and force a VU timeout. Tello sent down two free throws before Cal State LA crept back within single digits off a scoop on the inside for a 30-23 VU lead. The Blue and Gold found the scoreline too close for comfort however, and sparked another potent run, going 17-5 over the final five minutes to lead 47-28 at the half.

Vanguard went just 1-for-8 from three-point territory in the second interval but maintained a steady overall field goal percentage (51.61%) for the final 20 minutes. Tello scored the first five VU points, but it was a Turner layup that set the largest lead of the game at 24 (54-30 VU). Minutes later, Aibigho Ujadughele, who tallied seven points and two steals, ripped the ball away and converted on a one-man fast break to make it 60-43 Vanguard. The move prompted seven fast break points in short order for the Blue and Gold, including a jam from Chiles on a crisp feed from Tello. From there, the Golden Eagles tried to slow the momentum down, but Vanguard nailed seven straight free throws to snip any shot of a comeback.

What was Said?  "I'm really proud of the guys' toughness tonight on the road," said Head Coach Rhett Soliday.  "Cal State LA is really good and really well-coached.  For us to have 20 assists and turn them over 20 times are two really big bench mark statistics for us indicating a total team effort at both ends.  We didn't play a perfect game, but we were able to create some separation at half time.  We knew they would really bring it in the second half and they did.  I'm proud of the way the guys weathered the storm and kept making plays.  Metz and Chiles really controlled the game tonight as lead guards with 11 assists, and Tello was electric offensively.  Jackson and Leonard combined to go 14-for-20 with 18 rebounds.  They are playing so well together, and Boogie (Ujadughele) had a three-minute stretch where he completely changed the game in the second half with his defensive effort, forcing two huge turnovers that led to big baskets."

What's Next? Men's basketball will head to San Diego and feature in the Point Loma Tournament starting Friday, November 29, at 4:30 pm.