Schmidt keys win for Lions

vanguard women’s basketball separateJunior scores season-high 33 points as top-ranked Vanguard remains unbeaten.COSTA MESA -- Vanguard University junior Kelly Schmidt scored 33 points to lead the Lions to a 69-33 Golden State Athletic Conference win over Westmont on Tuesday at The Pit.

Schmidt, a two-time NAIA Division I All-American, made 11 of 16 field-goal attempts and 11 of 12 from the foul line to single-handedly match the Warriors’ point total.

Vanguard (13-0, 6-0 in conference), ranked No. 1 in the nation, led, 32-24, at halftime, then outscored the Warriors, 37-9, in the final 20 minutes.

Vanguard junior center Rachel Besse was 5 of 7 from the field and the foul line to produce 15 points. She led the Lions with 11 rebounds.

Lindsey Rinke had eight points and Lacey Burns added six for the winners, who played their fourth straight game without Coach Russ Davis (an injured disc in his back).

Westmont (8-7, 3-3) made just 13 of 64 field-goal attempts (20.3%), including a woeful 4 of 33 in the second half (12.1%).

Golden State Athletic Conference

Vanguard 69, Westmont 33

Score by Halves