SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Ashlin Crabtree's lethal 5 of 9 from three helped secure a first program win in the Pacific West Conference, 75-61 over the Academy of Art on Thursday. Crabtree ended with career highs of 17 points and four steals. Six Lions hit at least one triple at San Francisco State's Main Gym, as the Blue Gold shot 13 of 29 (44.8%) from three, the second most single-game makes the season.

Aryanna Hudson also sported a career-high 18 points and helped control the point after Halle Si'i slightly rolled her ankle in the fourth quarter. Fortunately, the junior returned down the stretch and finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Emma Schaaf bundled 16 points, eight rebounds  and a career-best four blocks. Sarah Matossian played all 40 minutes of the game piling in seven points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Vanguard's win in the PacWest opener brings them to 2-4 overall, while ARTU dropped to 6-2 and 0-1 in conference play.

What Happened?: VU shot 51.9 (14 of 27) percent in the first half and opened the night with a floater from Si'i. ARTU shot out to an 8-2 lead, but Vanguard scored the game's next 10 points, as Hudson drove down the lane to make it 12-8 VU. Despite a stellar shooting display, the Blue and Gold gave up eight turnovers in the opening period, stalling their rhythm and allowing the Urban Knights to trail just 15-13.

Crabtree's triple to start the second quarter was the first of many for VU, as the Lions went 54.5 (6 of 11) percent from deep, their best three-point shooting quarter of the season so far. Academy of Art earned a 7-0 run to lead by four, but Schaaf answered with a trey to put VU up 22-21. Hunter Simon recycled one at the rim and scored the putback as the Lions maintained a 26-25 lead. The Blue and Gold then earned separation with three-pointers from Crabtree, Hudson and Schaaf for the 41-33 lead at the break.

Though Vanguard went cold from the floor in the third – going 3 of 16 (18.8%) – their defensive intensity helped halt the Urban Knight comeback. The Lions forced two turnovers and three fouls inside the first minute of the third quarter and would capitalize from the free throw line, going 9 of 9 from the charity stripe.

ARTU shot steady in the interval to stay within single digits, but a gentle touch from Matossian and another Crabtree conversion from deep was all the Lions needed to lead 57-48 heading into the final quarter.

After Hudson found Crabtree for the 60-48 VU lead, the game never returned to single digits. Schaaf cranked the lever to lock down the paint with two blocks, and pressure on the perimeter from the Blue and Gold kept the Urban Knights scoreless from three (0 of 4) in the final quarter. Hudson arrowed her 16th point after cashing in on a four-point play for the 64-52 advantage. Si'i left her defender on skates and sunk a step-back triple to end the PacWest opener.

What was Said?  "Great start to the PacWest with a road win against a well-coached team that has been playing really well," said Head Coach Russ Davis.  "We played hard and gad great bench support during when we had some foul trouble.  Ashlyn was very aggressive on both ends of the court and I love that.  Aryanna came off the bench and led us with Halle in foul trouble.  Emma was huge for us as well.  I'm proud of our team for their effort and they were rewarded with the W."

What's Next?: Vanguard will return to Atherton to face an old GSAC foe in Menlo on Saturday, December 7 at noon.