Mens basketball: Vanguard falls just short

Joseph Boo

COSTA MESA - No matter what Vanguard University’s mens basketball

team did on Saturday against visiting Concordia in a key Golden State

Athletic Conference matchup, the Eagles had an answer. Concordia (11-5,

3-2 in conference) shot 51% to lead for the majority of its 79-73 win

over the Lions at the Pit.

But Vanguard (9-8, 1-4) refused to give up, and it closed a 13-point

deficit to 51-48 with 12:46 left. But that was as close as it got.

“Our guys played with heart,” Vanguard Coach Stephen French said. “They

didn’t get discouraged, and they didn’t give up.”

Nevertheless, the loss puts the Lions in a 1-4 hole in the GSAC. Playing

against an Eagle team that was 2-2 in conference, this game was huge for

the welfare of both teams.

“Honestly, I don’t know where this puts us in the standings,” French

said. “But this one really hurts. This puts us in a real hole. Instead,

we have to refocus for our next game.”

Vanguard took an early lead behind John Kohlhaas and Dennis Keane before

Concordia went on a 10-3 run to take a 22-16 lead. Vanguard’s Brandon

Cablay then hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit, but Concordia’s Brian

Vander Wal scored eight consecutive points, his personal run only

interrupted by a three from Vanguard’s Kemmy Burgess, to give the Eagles

a 30-19 lead.

When John Kohlhaas, who led Vanguard with 23 points, scored four points

for the Lions to cut the lead down to 30-23, Giles hit two backbreaking

free throws to push the Lions back. It was that kind of day for the

Lions.

“They have so many seasoned players,” French said. “Against Giles, we

tried to force him to hit hard shots, but unfortunately, he hit them. And

No. 42 (Vander Wal), he killed us. He’s a real hard-nosed player.”

Giles led all scorers with 25 points, and Vander Wal scored 23 and

grabbed 13 rebounds before fouling out.

The Eagles pushed their lead up to 47-34 before Kohlhaas and Cablay, who

scored 17, sliced the lead down. And when Ardis Curtis stole a pass and

took it himself for an easy layin, Vanguard’s Pit was oozing with hope.

But Vander Wal then converted a three-point play, and the Eagles extended

the lead to 54-48. When Vanguard closed the deficit to 69-63 later on,

Giles hit a three and then a jumper. And five free throws from Concordia

at the end clinched its win.

The Lions now have to add to their win total fast, or else their season

will disappear, but French is optimistic.

“We played with heart,” French reiterated. “If we keep playing like this,

we’ll add one to our win column eventually.”

GOLDEN STATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Concordia 79, Concordia 73

Concordia - Giles 25, Vander Wal 23, Hofmann 11, Sebastian 9, J. Burgess

5, Aye 6.

3-pt. goals - Giles 5, J. Burgess 1, Sebastian 1.

Fouled out - Vander Wal.

Technicals - Vander Wal 1.

Vanguard - Kohlhaas 23, Cablay 17, Keane 9, Beeler 8, Curtis 6, K.

Burgess 9, Lee III 1.

3-pt. goals - Kohlhaas 3, Cablay 2, Keane 1, K. Burgess 1.

Fouled out - Cablay, Beeler, Kohlhaas.

Technicals - None.

Halftime - 39-32, Concordia.