by Phoenix, Ariz. – The 10th ranked Vanguard Lions defeat Arizona Christian 70-58 to improve to 10-4 (3-2 GSAC) on the season. Five Lions score in double figures in victory over the Firestorm (4-13, 0-4) as Vanguard shakes off a loss in overtime in the previous contest.
The Lions featured a balanced attack with Riley Holsinger (Nez Perce Tribe/Spokane, WA) shooting 6-10 from the field en route to 16 points; she also went 4-4 from the free throw line as well as pitching in 12 boards, five assists and four steals. Samantha Doucette (JR/Irvine, CA) scored 14 points while making all four attempts from the charity stripe, in addition to grabbing five rebounds, three steals and one block.
Amber Alexander (JR/Grand Blanc, MI) unloaded a double-double in the victory, recording 11 points on 50% shooting and totaling 10 rebounds (six came on the offensive glass). Jamie Goff went a perfect 5-5 for 10 points and corralled five rebounds. Hanna Tabron (SO/Gilroy, CA) dropped three of six shot attempts from distance for her 10 points off the bench.
One of the keys to the game was Vanguard’s ability to take advantage of the shots from the charity stripe. The Lions went 10-11 (91%), while the Firestorm only took six free throw shots in the contest, all in the second half. Vanguard totaled only nine fouls for the entire game.
The first half was played tight as Vanguard initially was leading 16-11 with 13:40 left on the clock. Over the next 4:45 of the game, ACU went on a 10-0 tear (Coulter Bowlen scored six of the points). With 8:58 remaining in the first half, the Lions faced a five point deficit, their largest of the contest.
Vanguard finished the half strong, swinging the game with a 12-4 run to close out the final 4:17 of the half. All 12 points were scored by the combination of Doucette and Goff. The Lions took a three point lead, 34-31, into the intermission.
The Pride scored the first six points of the second half to lead 42-33. ACU trimmed the advantage to 46-42 at the 11:47 mark, before the Lions once again built a nine point margin.
The Lions pushed the lead to 56-45 on one of Tabron’s shots from downtown. However, ACU would chip away until VU led by only three points with 4:27 left in the game. From that point, Vanguard outscored the Firestorm 17-2 to coast to the conference win.
Both teams struggled shooting the ball from behind the arc as neither one cracked 20% from distance (VU: 4-20, ACU 4-21).
Vanguard dominated the glass, outrebounding ACU by 11 including +6 on the offensive glass, leading to 10 second chance points.
Arizona Christian’s offense was led by Bowlen scoring 18 points and grasping eight rebounds. Taylor Blue scored 14 points on 6-15 shooting and dished out three assists.
Vanguard stays on the road for their next opponent, traveling to Fullerton (CA) to take on the Hope International (11-6, 2-1) on Tuesday, January 13th tipping off at 5:30 p.m. The Royals will be coming off a 85-59 loss to Biola.
