COSTA MESA – Vanguard men's basketball surrendered 13 three-pointers to visiting CUI in an 87-80 PacWest loss on Wednesday at the Freed Center.

The 13 threes tied a season-high by a VU opponent. The Lions also allowed 13 triples against Chaminade (1/4) and Azusa Pacific (1/15). CUI hit that number on just 22 attempts, finishing the game at 59.1 percent from distance.

In contrast, the Lions shot 35.3 (6 of 17) percent from beyond the arc.

Vanguard outscored the Golden Eagles 50-20 in the paint, but lost the rebounding battle 47-20. VU forced 26 CUI turnovers and held a 25-20 advantage in points off turnovers.

But CUI's three-point prowess was too much to overcome, as Kaden Minter was a scorching 6 of 7 from distance en route to a game-high 28 points. He added 11 rebounds for a double-double.

Jayce Catchings also secured a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds for CUI.

The Lions got a team-high 18 points from Chris Chiles, who shot 7 of 11 from the field, including three treys. 

Anthony Tello and Leonard Turner notched 16 points apiece, while Aibigho Ujadughele added 10.

The Lions employed an effective trap at times in order to make up a double-digit deficit, leading to 18 steals, four by Jackson Larsen. Chiles, Tello and Turner collected three steals apiece.

VU lost its fourth straight game to drop to 11-8 overall and 5-8 in the PacWest. CUI improved to 11-8 overall and 6-6 in conference play.

What Happened?: The Lions struggled from the opening tip, falling into an 8-0 hole just two and a half minutes into the game. VU scored its first points on a Chiles three-pointer at the 16:10 mark, but the Golden Eagles used a 13-2 run to stretch the lead to 16 just under three minutes later.

The Lions started the game 2 of 9 from the field. VU got a boost from Jadyn Johnson, who ripped down an offensive board and converted a layup with the "and-one" to get the home side within 21-8. CUI responded with a Connor Gleason triple and maintained a healthy double-digit lead for the remainder of the first half.

Ujadughele scored six straight for the Lions to get his squad within 12, 28-16, with 6:27 to play. VU remained within 12 on another Ujadughele trip to the rim with 1:57 to go, but the Golden Eagles held a 44-29 advantage at halftime.

CUI reconvened in the same spot to start the second half, riding five straight points from Minter to open up a 20-point lead – 49-29 – for the first time. The Lions utilized a 14-5 run – as Turner, Tello, Ujadughele and Chiles all got involved – chopping CUI's lead down to 54-43 at 13:33 mark.

VU finally dipped the deficit to single digits as Tello converted a layup following a steal. Minter scored to reclaim a double-digit lead for CUI, but Larsen responded with an inside move as VU trailed 67-59 with 6:03 remaining.

The Lions continued to build momentum, cutting the lead to 69-62 on a Chiles three.

The turning point came on CUI's next possession when Ujadughele appeared in position for the rebound on a missed three-pointer by Joseph Locandro. However, he instead was whistled for the personal foul and received a technical foul after disputing the call. 

Minter hit both free throws. CUI, which retained possession following the technical, received another three from Minter. The five-point turnaround put CUI ahead 74-62 with 4:51 on the clock.

VU forced eight turnovers over the last 3:50 in a frantic move to make up the deficit. Bryson Metz canned a pair of three-pointers – the second one cutting the Golden Eagle lead to 83-77 with 34 seconds remaining. 

But CUI hit six of eight free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

What's Next?: Vanguard hosts Westmont in another rivalry game on Wednesday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m.