SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Nearly one year apart, Vanguard and Simon Fraser squared off once again to close the GNAC/PacWest Crossover Tournament at the Murchison Gymnasium. This year, however, the Lions' second unit was the difference, as VU's bench nearly outscored the entire SFU team, contributing 40 points in the eventual 76-41 Lion win Saturday afternoon. The Blue and Gold improves to 2-0, SFU drops to 1-4.

Kayla Boozer notched her first career double-double in the win. It took her just two games in a Lion jersey, as the freshman put together a 13-point 11-rebound performance going 6-8 from the field.

Emma Schaaf had the game-high 19 points, shooting 6-12 from the field and 6-8 from the free throw line. She also added six rebounds, with half of them coming on the offensive glass.

Ashlin Crabtree clocked in a 75% (3-4) shooting clip from three-point range to net nine points. Jaryn Madsen hit a trey and collected two steals on her way to eight points. Kaylee Byon and Micaela Hanning each had seven points, with Byon producing a match-high seven dimes.

What Happened? The Lions led through all four quarters, as Madsen opened the scoring with a steal and solo drive going coast to coast. Simon Fraser found their first points from the charity stripe to respond.

Schaaf grabbed her first points by attacking downhill at the right block, and her offensive rebound two possessions later sent her to the free throw line to put the Lions up 6-2. Schaaf maintained her rhythm after a drive and kick from Byon left the sophomore open for a knockdown three-pointer. The Lions went on to drain two more threes to finish the quarter, as Byon and Aryanna Hudson both converted for an 18-12 first quarter conclusion.

Simon Fraser shot their match-low in the second quarter at 10% (1-10) from the field, as the Red Leafs were held to five points. Madsen was aggressive on the break once again, this time fouled as she headed to the free-throw line to split a pair. Crabtree had the first VU field goal of the quarter as she splashed from the right side of the arc. She was followed by a Schaaf 15-footer, and back-to-back Madsen buckets. SFU went scoreless for the final 3:18 of the half.

The Blue and Gold were rampant in the second half, outscoring SFU 44-24 and shooting a silky 56% (18-32) from the field. The Lions led in points off turnovers 18-1 in the last two quarters.

Crabtree found Hanning in transition for a spot-up three for VU's first three-point field goal of the frame. Then Schaaf wheeled inside for a layup and nailed two straight jumpers to put VU up 42-30. Crabtree connected from deep on the left wing, and Shayla O'Neil pinched one off the glass through contact to set herself up for a three-point play at the free throw line.

In the fourth quarter, the Lion bench topped SFU's second unit 17-3 to cap off their dominant showing. The Blue and Gold also feasted in the paint, scoring 16 of their 23 points in the quarter in the category.

Byon's steal sent Boozer on the break as she launched through the open court and finished.  She would go on to score 10 of her 13 total match points in the quarter, shooting 5-6 from the field. Natalie Scherzer also found gaps on the break, putting up a layup as the Lions led 71-39. The last three-pointer of the day was found by Hudson, who sank one from the top of the key to close out the win.

What Was Said? "After starting the season last year against these same two teams (Montana State Billings & Simon Fraser) and going 0-2… it feels great to be 2-0," acknowledged Head Coach Russ Davis.
"Our depth is nice, and it was huge today. I believe we had more than half our points off the bench. We will continue to work hard and get better. Proud of the team to go on the road and get it done."

What's Next? VU will head to Nampa, Idaho for a two-day tournament starting with Central Washington on Friday November 21.