FRESNO, Calif. -- The winning streak for Vanguard women's basketball came to an end today against the Sunbirds of Fresno Pacific in a 59-54 defeat. VU had won its past six games but produced two quarters of under 10 points on Saturday to take its second Pacific West Conference defeat. The Lions were in front for a majority of the game, as FPU did not lead until midway through the final quater. The Lions shot 37.3% from the floor in the game and hit only four three-pointers on 20 attempts. However, FPU did not shoot much better, as the hosts shot 31.6% from the field and 21.4% from downtown. The Lions fall to 12-6 overall and 10-2 in Pacific West Conference play, while FPU goes to 10-10 overall, 6-7 in league action.
What Happened? The opening three minutes were fruitless for both sides, as turnovers hampered any offensive production.
Emma Schaaf got the scoring started with a tip-in and got fouled in the process, making the and-one to put VU ahead 3-0. That started a 12-2 streak for the Blue and the Gold, with Schaaf making one shot from beyond the arc and
Jaryn Madsen nailing two. The squad looked in control after 10 minutes of action, as the Lions held a 24-8 advantage over the hosting Sunbirds. The Lions shot 52.6% in the first period and Schaaf made 10 of her 18 points in the frame.
The Sunbirds rose in the second quarter, as the hosts rolled off a 10-4 stretch over the first five minutes of the period. An
Ashlin Crabtree three put Vanguard ahead 31-18 but FPU scored four of the final five points in the period to put VU's advantage at 32-22 at halftime.
Outscored 14-8 in the second, the Lions got back into double figures in the third, with
Sarah Matossian landing the opening layup and
Halle Si'i floating in two shots in the paint to put the VU lead at 38-25. The Blue and Gold saw the lead fall to 42-32 with 5:39 to go in the frame but only managed a lone free throw from Schaaf and a layup from
Aryanna Hudson the rest of the half, as FPU trailed 45-40 entering the final frame.
The Sunbirds saved their best for last, as the home side outscored the Lions 19-9 during the final interval. It took Fresno Pacific just over five minutes to tie the game at 47-all and the Sunbirds then snagged their first lead of the game with 3:31 remaining on a triple with 5:58 remaining. A Schaaf layup accounted for the only two Vanguard points during the first 8:32 of the fourth. A Si'i layup with 1:28 to go brought the gap to 50-48, yet that would be as close as VU got. The teams exchanged fouls and free throws but the Lions could not get the gap under one possession for long enough to tie the game, falling 59-54.
Schaaf had 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead the team and added one block and a team-high three steals. Matossian was again just one rebound shy of a double-double, as she went for 10 points and nine boards along with a team-high three assists. Si'i had seven points, six rebounds, and one assist. FPU went 17-for-24 from the charity stripe, outpacing VU, who went 6-for-14. VU won the rebound battle 45-36 and had a 14-11 edge in offensive boards, though the squad lost the turnover battle 21-13.
Why is it Important? The Lions are now second in the standings, as APU won its game tonight. The Lions have three big home games coming up that might determine how alive its title fight will be. VU faces both Westmont (third) and APU over the three-game home stand, with trips to WC and PLNU following that.
What's Next? Bring the ROAR next Wednesday night as the Lions host CUI at 5:30 p.m. All students are coming for the ROAR Game and will receive rally towels, while fans should get their tickets and arrive early to get a seat in what should be a loud Freed Center.
