SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Micaela Hanning took the reins in the Pacific West Conference semifinals, as the freshman plotted a game-high 25 points (9-17 FG) and career-best 11 rebounds to lead Vanguard (23-5, 18-4) to a 73-59 win over Westmont (21-9, 16-6) Friday night inside Golden Gymnasium. The All-PacWest player's second career double-double  places the Lions in the program's first PacWest Tournament Championship match tomorrow against Azusa Pacific.

VU was without the PacWest Player of the Year Kaylee Byon, but never trailed against their longtime rivals, Westmont. The complete team effort saw every Lion find a place in the box score, while on the defensive end, the group held the best rebounding team in conference in Westmont to its third-worst rebounding margin (40-37, +3) all season.

Neither team had their touch from three-point land on the night, shooting a combined 9-42 (21%). The game was settled by other means, with a gritty, yet fast-paced, first half, then a slower-paced, free-throw-filled final 20 minutes. VU's most sizable advantage in the box score came in steals (11-5) and paint points (36-28).

The Lions have now topped Westmont in four straight matches, the longest win streak against WC since 2015.

What Happened? The Lions hit 53% (9-17) of their shots to open the semifinal in what stood as their best scoring and shooting quarter on the evening. Emma Schaaf split a pair of free throws and scored off an offensive rebound to get the Lions on the board. Westmont downed its first bucket on the break, after splitting through the Lion press for a simple finish on the glass (5-2).

VU's scoring pace was maintained by Hanning and Jaryn Madsen, who each drained three-pointers amid a 10-2 run. It was Kayla Boozer who officially put Vanguard up by double-figures, with Madsen's pinpoint pass clearing up an avenue down the lane for an open layup (17-7 VU). Westmont closed the period on an 8-6 run, but Shayla O'Neil had the final points of the quarter at the charity stripe as Vanguard led 23-15.

Though the second quarter maintained a quickfire pace, the scoring throttle from both camps did not. VU and WC each scored just eight points in the frame and shot a combined 0-12 from deep. The Lions did not score until the 6:20 mark, but eventually tallied four field goals in the quarter thanks to Hanning, O'Neil, Akilah Kubi, and Natalie Scherzer. The Lions' defensive effort, however, did not stall, with VU tacking on three blocks through the quarter, two from Boozer.

Vanguard led 31-23 to start the third quarter, but stepped on the gas to distance itself from the Warriors. They outscored Westmont 20-11 in the period, and Hanning set the tempo with a 17-point second half.

The Warriors had a 4-0 run to trim their deficit down to four (31-27 VU) out of the halftime break. Hanning went for a solo 5-0 burst to respond, completing a three-point play opportunity to steer the score to 36-29 with 7:09 on the clock.

Westmont's will to work their way back into the game took a hit when foul trouble started to rack up within the stanza. The fourth-seeded Warriors would eventually see three players foul out by the game's conclusion and gave up 13 free-throw looks for Vanguard in the quarter, with the Lions hitting nine. The Blue and Gold had its largest lead of the night after a pick and pop three from Schaaf put them by 19 (48-29) with 3:53 to go. Westmont could only crack it down to 17 (51-34 VU) by the end of the period.

VU lost the last quarter 25-22, with Westmont's 10-0 second chance points lead stamping the margin. Vanguard made up for it in fast break points, 10-3, and saw another standout quarter from Hanning, who scored or assisted on 15 of the 20 VU points.

Westmont's three to start the stanza was their first make from downtown since the 3:31 mark of the first quarter. Madsen pinched a three-ball of her own down the wing, then Hanning sprayed out another dime, this time through the interior to Schaaf for a 56-41 tally. Westmont had another pair of three-pointers to bite back, but VU remained deadly on the break to muddy up any momentum. The Lions finished out the game at the free-throw line, hitting 83% (11-13) of their tries to keep the Westmont resurgence at a minimum and book a place in the PacWest Championships.

Schaaf was Vanguard's second-highest scorer with 18 points, three steals, and 7-9 free throw shooting. Madsen earned 11 points in the semifinal to pair with four steals. Aryanna Hudson notched seven points, while Kubi and O'Neil each found four points.

What's Next? The Lions will fight for the PacWest Tournament Championship and an automatic bid to the national tournament tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. against Azusa Pacific.