VU women still improving

Coach said defense needs shoring up, though top-ranked Lions are among nation’s best on paper.The Vanguard University women’s basketball team is 7-0, ranked No. 1 in NAIA Division I, and has outscored its opponents by an average of nearly 50 points.

But as the Lions prepare to open its eight-team Surf City Classic today at 4 p.m. against Indiana University-South Bend, Coach Russ Davis is still making a list of things his team needs to improve upon.

“To this point in the season, I don’t think we’re anywhere near where we need to be defensively,” Davis said. “I’m trying to change our mindset. Right now, we just want to outscore people.”

Davis acknowledged that statistical evidence might indicate otherwise, but he believes a lack of supreme defensive intensity might, at some point, be exploited by opponents.

“When you look at us on paper, it’s hard to convince anyone we’re not a very good defensive team,” Davis said.

The Lions are, after all, ranked No. 1 nationally in scoring defense (42 points per game -- 10 points better than the No. 2 school), ranked No. 1 in field-goal percentage defense (29.7%), and No. 3 in steals.

“People look at that and hear that I’m unhappy with our defense and they think ‘Sure, Coach,’” Davis said. “But we’re not going to go very far in our [Golden State Athletic Conference] or on the national level unless we’re playing defense and rebounding.”

Offensively, it would appear Davis has little with which to quibble. The Lions lead the nation in field-goal percentage (52.7%), and are No. 3 in scoring (92.3 points per game.)

Sophomore Jessica Richter, a transfer from Syracuse, is leading the offense with 27.6 points per contest (No. 2 nationally). She is shooting 57.5% from the field and averaging 6.0 rebounds and 6.1 steals. She also has a team-high 22 three-pointers.

Junior forward Kelly Schmidt, a two-time All-American, is averaging 18.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and is shooting 60% from the field. Last week, she became the program’s all-time leading scorer.

Junior center Rachel Besse is averaging 15.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and is shooting 65.2% from the field, tied for second-best in the nation.

The arsenal also includes junior Lacey Burns (8.4 ppg), sophomore Melissa Cook (9.3 ppg) and sophomore Lindsey Rinke (7.3 ppg).

The Lions have had only one victory of fewer than 35 points -- a 73-64 win over College of St. Mary College on Dec. 16. But Davis said he expects better competition in this tournament.

“I’ve noticed people are fired up to play us and we need to start stepping up,” Davis said. “I don’t think the record shows how good [Indiana-South Bend (7-6)] is.”

The Lions will meet either Morningside (Iowa) or Cardinal Stritch (Wisconsin) Friday.

Morningside is the two-time defending NAIA Division II champion. The Titans are ranked No. 12 in the division. Cardinal Stritch (11-2) enters the tournament with a six-game winning streak and has won 11 of its last 12.

“Those are two great programs with great coaches who know how to win and expect to win,” Davis said. 20051229NF1MEO11No Caption