Women’s basketball: Lions gain confidence in 61-52 win

Steve Virgen

IRVINE - Even more challenging than a Golden State Athletic

Conference opponent, the Vanguard University women’s basketball team

faces a greater foe this season.

Itself.

On the quest of their fourth conference championship, the Lions have

been struggling to find their identity. And, even after Vanguard defeated

host Concordia, 61-52, Saturday, the search continues.

Imagine the success if the Lions (10-4, 3-2 in GSAC)

played their best basketball?

“We’re not even clicking yet,” Vanguard fifth-year Coach Russ Davis

said. “I think we’re going to start striking here pretty quick. Right now

we’re just continuing in the search to find our strengths and weaknesses.

It’s just taking a little longer than we expected. We definitely haven’t

peaked yet.”

Despite shooting 38% from the field against the Eagles (7-8, 3-2),

Vanguard took advantage of its free-throw opportunities. The Lions shot

20 of 33 from the charity stripe, while Concordia finished 10 of 15.

Vanguard junior center Kelly Boeke led the Lions with 16 points and 11 rebounds and senior guard Becki Huddle scored 12 points, dished out seven

assists and did not commit a turnover in 40 minutes of play.

The Eagles were led by junior guard Taryn Commins who scored a

game-high 23 points. She also had four steals and six assists. Concordia

senior Jenny Hansen chipped in with 10 points.

Aside from working their way to the free-throw line, the Lions relied

on a physical defense. Vanguard forced Concordia to commit 19 turnovers,

12 in the first half.

“Defensively we’re doing pretty well,” Davis said. “We’re just not

clicking yet, offensively. We’re just not shooting the ball well. And,

this is the same team that broke the national record with 290 three-point

baskets. If it’s just our shooting, we’ll be OK. We’ll be all right.”

The Lions found some shooting touch in the second half. They opened

with a 7-0 run, in the first five minutes, to lead 35-25. But, the Eagles

grabbed the momentum to pull within one after Boeke was called for a

technical foul.

Concordia was down, 42-20, with 9:16 remaining. But, Vanguard then

used a 12-3 run over the next seven minutes to reclaim the advantage. The

Lions made 10 of 12 free throws down the stretch to secure victory.

“They have their confidence back,” Concordia Coach Greg Dinneen said.

“They’re back on track. They’re the team to beat, obviously. We were

using this game as a measuring stick and we’re still short on it.”

Both teams started on the short end, scoreless through the first four

minutes, until Vanguard sophomore Deborah Candelaria knocked down a free

throw.

The Lions found a bit of offensive rhythm in the second half as they

broke down Concordia’s defense with backdoor cuts to the basket.

“We were more intense this game,” Huddle said. “We were moving a lot

better on offense.”

So does that mean the Lions played their best game of the season?

“That’s an easy answer,” Huddle said. “No way. We’re not even close.

We need to improve on our communication and getting our rhythm. But,

there’s definitely hope.”

Said Davis: “We’re in a position now, if we don’t start taking care of

business, we’re not going be winning our fourth championship. But, we’re

not even thinking championship, right now, we’re thinking Westmont.”