AZUSA, Calif. -- In a game that might have redefined the Pacific West Conference title race, VU women's basketball won on the road at Azusa Pacific Thursday night.  The Lions took the contest 69-56, winning the final three quarters after drawing level with the Cougars 13-13 in the opening frame.  The Lions improved to 17-4 overall and 13-3 in PacWest play, while APU dropped to 17-7, 13-4.
 
What Happened?  Though Aryanna Hudson deposited a triple on Vanguard's first shot of the night, APU led 9-3 after four minutes of play.  Akilah Kubi and Kaylee Byon helped the VU attack get going again, and after falling behind 13-5, the Lions scored the final eight points of the quarter to draw level with the hosts, with a Micaela Hanning layup after a steal by Kayla Boozer resetting the scoreboard.  VU shot 46.15% in the first and checked APU to a 30% clip.
 
The lead exchanged hands throughout the second quarter until a layup by Hudson, created by a clean pass by Hanning, put the Blue and Gold ahead 29-28.  While it was not certain at that moment, the Lions refused to let APU reclaim the lead the rest of the night, and the Cougars would not close up the score until the fourth interval.

Hudson spotted Shayla O'Neil, who buried a trey, and Hudson made her own with 44 seconds left in the half to put the Lions ahead 35-28.  APU had a late free throw to cut the edge to 35-29 at the break, and both teams shot their best in the quarter, with VU at 64.29% and APU at 50%. 
 
Byon made a layup and two free throws to help Vu extend the advantage to 41-29, and though APU made some quick shots in successive possessions, Hanning made three shots in a row to keep the Lions ahead by double digits, with a layup and an and-one putting the Blue and Gold ahead 46-34.  A free throw made by O'Neil gave Vanguard its largest lead of the night at 53-36, and the team entered the fourth quarter ahead 54-43.  The Cougars again shot 50% and held Vanguard to a game-low 35.29% rate in the third.
 
The Cougars stalked the lead and got it down to four with 6:42 to go in the game, as the hosts started the period with a 9-2 run.  But on the next trip to the offensive end, Hanning drove and popped a pass to O'Neil, who splashed down from beyond the arc to end the scoring drought.  From there, the defense locked down the Cougars, as the Lions outscored APU 10-4 over the final stages of the contest.  VU crashed the lane, as O'Neil, Byon, and Emma Schaaf all made layups to secure the 69-56 win.  VU made shots at a 41.18% rate in the fourth, while Azusa Pacific was set back at a 33.33%.
 
The Lions had a 45.9%-39.3% advantage in shooting rate in the game and a 39-30 edge in rebounds.  Most of the remaining stats were close, though a 13-9 lead in second-change points certainly assisted in the Vanguard victory.  Byon had 15 points to lead all VU players, finishing second in scoring in the game, while also holding a game-high three steals and eight assists.  Hudson went 3-for-4 from deep, tied with O'Neil for the game-high, to net 11 points, with O'Neil pocketing 14 points.  Schaaf had 10 points and Hanning had nine.
 
Why is it Important?  Point Loma beat Hawaii Pacific tonight to remain ahead in the PacWest standings, but it is only by one game.  Westmont was idle tonight, so VU holds second place entering the weekend clash with CUI.  The Golden Eagles did not play tonight and are battling with Dominican to try to steal the fourth spot in the PacWest Tournament. The Lions have now won both games they have played at the Felix Event Center, and the Lions will not play another conference game at APU again, with their move to the SCIAC upcoming.  The last time Vanguard had multiple wins at Azusa Pacific was during the 11-game win streak over the Cougars from 2005 to 2009.  With three wins in the past four matchups, VU trails APU 38-34 in the all-time series.
 
What was Said?  "We started off slow and got down 13-4, but we finished the quarter on a 9-0 run to tie it up," said Head Coach Russ Davis.  "I'm proud of our team for getting another win on the road.  We need to keep improving on passing and taking care of the ball.  APU is a tough place to play, and we finished strong down the stretch."
 
What's Next?  The Golden Eagles play VU at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.