COSTA MESA, Calif. --- The bout for the top spot in the conference went Vanguard's way in a hard-fought 60-50 upset over Point Loma on Thursday night. The newcomers in the Pacific West Conference weathered a first-half shooting slump and a fourth-quarter Sea Lion push to jump to the top of the standings, as VU owns the tiebreaker with Azusa Pacific. Vanguard was helped by Sarah Matossian, who scored eleven of her game-high 18 points in the second half. As a team, the Lions held the second-best offense in the league, PLNU, to season-low marks in total points (50) and three-point shooting at 17% (3-for-18).

VU's win puts the squad at 12-5 overall,10-1 in conference play, as the PacWest Team of the Week has now won six in a row. Point Loma is handed its second conference loss (14-5, 9-2), as the Blue and Gold have claimed the last nine matchups over PLNU, dating back to 2009.

Halle Si'i earned 17 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. The junior sits just 41 points away from 1,000 in her career. PacWest Defender of the Week Emma Schaaf delivered timely threes in the third quarter to finish with 11 points and a career-best 16 rebounds. Jaryn Madsen and Ashlin Crabtree each hit two three-pointers and funneled in six points apiece.

What Happened? Vanguard was a combined 10-of-35 (29%) from the field and 3-for-15 (20%) from deep over the opening two quarters. PLNU jumped out to an early lead and was paced by Tavia Rowell, who scored five of her 13 points in the first quarter. Akilah Kubi came off the bench to force a steal, followed by a bucket in transition for Aryanna Hudson, as VU cut the lead to three (9-6 PLNU) with 3:10 to go in the first frame.

Point Loma continued to control the tempo in the second quarter, but VU would not let the Sea Lions pull away. The Blue and Gold produced a spell of good looks in the offensive end and found conversions in a Si'i layup and Crabtree connection from downtown. Si'i then scored on back-to-back trips from beyond the arc and VU leaped forward on a 9-2 run to finish the half up 25-21.

The second half offered a much faster pace, as the Sea Lions struck a corner three within ten seconds of the start of the third. PLNU's 26-16 advantage in points in the paint also stood out, as the Sea Lions found a layup for a 32-31 lead with 4:45 left in the interval. However, the Blue and Gold flipped a switch, as Schaaf's seven offensive rebounds warranted extra possessions and chances to fight back. Like Si'i in the second quarter, Schaaf hit two straight triples for an eight-point Lion lead (42-34) heading to the fourth quarter.

VU's power in the pick and roll forced changes from PLNU in the final quarter. The Sea Lions would switch to a press to generate five turnovers off the Lions in the fourth alone. But Madsen hit her second wind to unload two straight three-pointers and cement a sturdy 13-point lead (51-38 VU) with 6:44 to play. Point Loma's press persisted in the final five minutes, but Si'i and Matossian were the remedy, protecting the rock and sinking their free throws to steer the Lions to victory.

 What Was Said?  "I'm proud of our team tonight.  We struggled offensively and then started to hit some shots in the second half," said Head Coach Russ Davis.  "When you don't play your best, you have to give the other team credit.  They are well-coached and very talented.  Another good win for us tonight, that was a battle."

What's Next? Women's basketball makes the four-hour trip north to play Fresno Pacific on Saturday, January 25 at 2 pm.