FRESNO, Calif. – Men's basketball (16-11, 12-9) is still in the hunt for Pacific West Conference postseason play, as a 72-58 win over Fresno Pacific (13-14, 12-9) on Thursday night gives the Blue and Gold a make-or-break or finish in the regular season's finale on Saturday. The Lions led for a confident 39:39 of the 40 minutes played at the Special Events Center, driving up to three straight wins and the season sweep over the Sunbirds.

The scoring punch of Erik Howlin and Bryson Metz led the way for the Blue and Gold, combining for 39 points. Howlin had the game-high 22 points (8-13 FG) and a perfect three-point metric at 3-3. Metz had 17 points on 50% (5-10) from the floor, 50% from free (3-6), and a faultless showing at the charity stripe. The longtime Lion has been cooking over his last three games, averaging 15 points on 45% from the field, 47% from three, and 90% from the line.

Sammy Howlin was one board shy of a double-double with nine points, 11 rebounds, and a block. Kailen Rains notched seven points and three assists, while Tony Colley picked up five points and four rebounds.

The Lions shot splits of 44% (26-59), 39% (9-23 3PT), and 68% (11-16 FT). The two sides were fairly even in most metrics, such as paint points (30-28 VU), points off turnovers (14-12 VU), and second chance points (10-6 FPU). The Sunbirds won bench points by eight (24-16), and Vanguard had their greatest advantage in fast break points, 21-13.

What Happened?
Both teams combined for just 14 points over the first nearly seven minutes of game time, as the pair suffered 11 misses and collected four steals between them. Vanguard controlled the tie nonetheless, as a 10-4 start put the visitors on their way. VU hit two three-pointers in that time, with a trey from Aibigho Ujadughele and a three-point basket from Rains off the Devin Carson feed.

Rains stepped in the lane to make a block 15 seconds later, opening the avenue for Erik Howlin to get on the board with the layup, knifing through the Sunbird stronghold. The Lions fed the league's leading scorer, as Howlin made it six straight VU points and Carson produced another dime, this time to Robert Aguirre Jr., who sunk a straightaway three for the 19-9 Vanguard lead with 11:06 to go.

The Sunbirds put one back on the scoresheet, but Vanguard continued to attack the paint, using an 18-12 lead in paint points for the half to kick out a 4-0 run. Dylan Swillis and Metz both converted during the push, but FPU drained two straight threes to gnaw within four at the media timeout (23-19).

An FPU layup and a technical foul free throw for the hosts made it a one-possession game, but VU had another late charge in them in the last two minutes of the half. Carson Frawley would spark the run with a layup on the break, then Metz would scrap for two steals to put Howlin and Rains on their way a 10-point lead. The Lions hit their last three field goals as Frawley finished the 9-0 run for a 36-27 halftime score.

Vanguard went 5-14 (35%) from deep in the second half and had nearly four times as many free-throw attempts (9-14) in a 36-31 point trade in the final 20 minutes. They also led 15-8 in fast-break points, with more than half provided by Metz in his 11 point second-half.

Erik Howlin's three-point effort from the right wing got the scoring underway. Metz rinsed down another three in transition, and Sammy Howlin shrugged off contact to rip down and offensive rebound and plant the put back off glass. Out of the under-16 media timeout, Howlin hit his second three-pointer of the half, marking Vanguard's largest lead of the game at 19 (48-29). He split two defenders and flushed down a dunk one minute later to put the Lions at the half-century mark with 13:30 to go (50-32).

The next six minutes were pensive for the Blue and Gold, as the Lions limped through a 1-7 shooting stretch, getting outscored 10-2 to make it a 10-point game (52-42). Right on cue, Metz had an answer, clipping a three to restore the cushion to 13.

Fresno Pacific never came closer than 12 for the last six minutes of game-time, with Metz scoring five more points, and Erik Howlin, Rains, and Colley taking care of business at the free-throw line to keep the postseason in sight.

Why is it Important? As for the ordering for the top six, the standings still remain inconclusive. Tonight's results across the league saw Westmont (17-10, 14-7) defeat Azusa Pacific to secure the second ticket to the PacWest tournament. Hawaii Pacific overcame the champions Point Loma to take a narrow lead in third place. Dominican, Vanguard, and Fresno Pacific currently occupy the remaining tournament spots. But that can all change on Saturday with FPU and DUC crossing paths, and Chaminade, Jessup, and Concordia all lurking a game behind the pack.

The narrative for Vanguard will remain the same. Win on Saturday, and book an automatic seat at the table, planting their fork in their first potential PacWest Tournament in March.

What Was Said? "Really proud of the fight our guys had on a quick turnaround," shared Head Coach Rhett Soliday. "FPU is a talented group who plays really hard, and we had to defend at a high level to contain them, both in transition and in the half. I thought we were patient to take the right shots from 3 and to get downhill and win in the paint on offense. Because we took the right shots, it put us in position to either offensive rebound it or set our D. No time to rest as the journey continues, as we get ready for a Menlo team who is playing really well right now."

What's Next? All to play for on Saturday, as VU head to Menlo to close the regular season. Opening tip is at 2 p.m.