Lions settle matter early

Vanguard leads nearly from wire to wire in a Golden State Athletic Conference women’s basketball game against Fresno Pacific and remains unbeaten.FRESNO -- Vanguard University’s women’s basketball team didn’t waste much time earning its 85-44 victory over Fresno Pacific in a Golden State Athletic Conference game Saturday afternoon.

The game was settled early as Vanguard (14-0, 7-0 in conference), ranked No. 1 in NAIA Division I, led almost the entire way. Fresno Pacific’s closest brush with the lead came when senior forward Melissa Montoya hit a jumper with 17:53 remaining in the first half to tie the score at 2-2. When Vanguard’s Tiari Goold missed a three-pointer at the other end, the Sunbirds had a chance to take the lead.

Instead, junior forward Lacey Burns came up with a steal, sophomore guard Jessica Richter scored on a fastbreak and the Lions were off and running.

Vanguard took command shortly thereafter with a 16-0 run. Burns scored eight points during the burst.

The Lions led by as many as 27 points in the first half and led, 39-12, at the intermission. The Sunbirds managed four baskets in the first half, shooting 15.4% from the field.

Fresno Pacific (4-11, 0-6), which lost its eighth in a row, perked up on offense in the second half, but not enough to keep the Lions at bay. Vanguard increased its lead with a 15-2 run midway through the half, and both teams substituted liberally down the stretch.

It was a balanced offensive performance for the Lions, as five players scored in double figures. Richter led the way with 20 points on 10 of 13 shooting. Sophomore forward Melissa Cook came off the bench to add 17 points and seven rebounds, making both of her three-pointers and seven of eight from the free-throw line.

Junior center Rachel Besse made six of her eight shots from the field and finished with 12 points and eight rebounds. Burns and All-American forward Kelly Schmidt each scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds.

Goold finished with nine points and seven assists for the Lions, who shot 54.8% from the field in the game.

Fresno Pacific committed 22 turnovers in the game, leading to 23 points for Vanguard. The Lions also enjoyed a 48-16 edge in points in the paint.

Montoya led the Sunbirds with nine points and five rebounds. Senior guard Denise Fast, Fresno Pacific’s leading scorer at 13.6 points per game, was held to eight points on 4-of-11 shooting.

The Lions just missed their season scoring average of 88 points per game, but matched their defense average of 47.4 per contest.

Vanguard, which received all 11 first-place votes in the most recent NAIA rankings, is off until Thursday when it plays at Cal Baptist. Tuesday’s game against the Lancers will mark the start of a stretch in which the Lions will play three times in six days.

Following the Cal Baptist game, Vanguard will play host to Hope International on Saturday and travel to Azusa Pacific on Tuesday. Azusa Pacific is ranked No. 9 nationally in Division I, moving up from No. 14.

Golden State Athletic Conference

Vanguard 85,

Fresno Pacific 44

Score by Halves