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Oceanside, Calif.- The #3 Lions continue their strong start to the 2014-15 campaign with a 65-41 victory over Cal State San Marcos. Riley Holsinger (Nez Perce Tribe) scored 24 points and 12 rebounds. Samantha Doucette (JR/Irvine, CA) chipped in 16 points.
In the two schools first meeting since the opening round of the 2014 NAIA National Tournament, San Marcos was gunning for revenge. They are a senior laden team, returning most of their starters from last year’s playoff team.
Vanguard took the lead less than two minutes into the contest and never looked back. San Marcos hung tight through the first nine minutes before the Lions opened up an 11 point advantage off a Doucette jumper, assisted by Alyssa Durr. San Marcos went on a 7-0 run capped off with a layup by Shayd Bowers.
The Pride took a 33-26 advantage into the intermission despite having key players battle through sickness, injuries, and early foul trouble. Holsinger did most of her damage in the first half scoring 16 points on an efficient 6-11 shooting from the field.
The Blue and Gold wasted no time in the second frame pushing their lead to 15 points by the 16:27 mark remaining. With just under seven minutes remaining, Lindsey Harter pushed the margin to 17 points off a triple from downtown, one of only three made all night.
Vanguard reached a game-high lead of 26 points when Durr sank two free throws with 1:41 left in the contest.
After the game Coach Russ Davis was “really proud of our team winning with four main players out. We fought through adversity and won with defense.”
Despite shooting only 27% from behind the arc, a staple of the Lions attack, Vanguard found other ways to score including 10 second chance points and 13 points off 19 forced turnovers by San Marcos.
The Cougars were led by Mackenzie Harnett’s 15 points in 30 minutes of game action. Heather Thompson added 10 points and 11 boards. San Marcos outscored vanguard 20-10 in the paint.
The Lions will take their 4-0 record into a conference tilt with William Jessup University on December 11th in The Pit. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
