COSTA MESA – Veteran leaders Erik Howlin and Bryson Metz paced the Lions (1-0) en route to an upset win over the Coyotes of Cal State San Bernadino (RV, 2-2), 85-74. It was also the first program win over CSUSB in 33 years.
The graduate transfer in Howlin shot six of 10 from the field, with most of his damage coming from the charity stripe (8-12 FT), as well as a game-high eight rebounds.
Senior Bryson Metz added 19 points on 5 of 11 shooting. He also added three assists, three boards and two assists, as the guard completely dictated the pace of the game. Seven other Lions also got into the scoring column, with Aibigho Ujadughele and Tony Colley each scratching double-figures as well.
The Lions shot a blistering 54.9% percent (28 of 51) overall from the field, making an even 50% from downtown (9-18). VU also had the slight edge in the turnover battle.
Only two Coyotes scored in double figures, led by Kaylon Mason with 20 points (8-10 FG).
What Happened? After an early technical foul on CSUSB, Bryson Metz's free-throw saw him be the first points for Vanguard for the second-consecutive season. From there it was a see-saw affair for much of the early-going, with a triple from Carson Frawley off the bench and a put-back slam from Pape Cisse to help the Lions get to a 19-18 lead coming out of the second media timeout.
CSUSB had some good action with middle-third ball-screens to keep their offense flowing, led by Zion Paleo, but a pair of Tony Colley triples out of his reserve role gave Vanguard a four-point lead with 3:48 remaining in the first half. It would stay tight heading into the half, with VU up 45-43.
The first seven-plus minutes of the second-half were much of the same with both teams, only it was Vanguard highlighting Erik Howlin's matchups to keep their scoring punch going.
With Vanguard up 53-52 with 14:27 remaining, the floodgates opened.
Colley's third three-pointer of the afternoon gave a boost, before a Ujadughele triple prefaced a palpable up-tick in defensive intensity. This resulted in an immediate Colley steal and slam, forcing a CSUSB timeout which brought the student-section filled with other VU sports teams to a deafening roar.
A Ujadughele acrobatic and-one coming out of the break helped posit an 12-2 extended run to help VU open their largest lead of the night at 65-54 with under 10 to go.
A late push by the Coyotes made it as tight as four points with 2:00 to play, but that was as close as they would get, as a Kailen Rains jumper out of an elbow-isolation put it to bed.
Why Is It Important? Vanguard only had eight assists as a team, something to keep an eye for a team that was 10th in the PacWest last year in that category.
VU won its fourth straight season opener, getting the dub without highly-touted weapons in Sammy Howlin, Dylan Swillis, and Devin Carson.
What Was Said? "I was really pleased with our overall effort today," said Head Coach Rhett Soliday. "Being shorthanded and having a lot of different guys step up in key moments was a really special way to kick off this season. San Bernardino is an excellent team and incredibly well-coached. There is no doubt they will be in the mix in the CCAA and the West Region, so we were very fortunate to find a way to get it done today. Erik and Bryson pretty dynamic today as a tandem and I thought Tony's offensive punch off the bench was an x-factor in the W. At the other end, we had an incredible team effort in defending their dynamic guards. No time to rest as we face an awesome Dominguez Hills team tomorrow. It will take everything to find a way in that one. We are excited for the challenge and an opportunity to grow."
What's Next?: The Lions return to Freed Center on Saturday with a 4:00 p.m. evening tip against the twelfth-ranked Toros.
