Another easy win for Lions

Without leading scorer, top-ranked Vanguard rolls to a 55-point victory in conference play.COSTA MESA -- Even without one of its top scorers, Vanguard University’s women’s basketball team made it look easy.

The Lions, ranked No. 1 in NAIA Division I, opened the second half of Golden State Athletic Conference play with a 94-39 victory over San Diego Christian College on Saturday night. It was the largest margin of victory for Vanguard in conference play this season.

Vanguard (18-0, 11-0 in conference) went almost the entire game without leading scorer Jessica Richter in the lineup. The sophomore guard, who was averaging 22.1 points per contest, played just seven minutes, going scoreless with one assist and two steals.

Against a Hawks team that had just one victory so far this season, Richter’s absence wasn’t much of a hindrance to the Lions on Saturday.

The game was close for about five minutes as San Diego Christian (1-17, 0-11) led briefly at the beginning. The Hawks were as close as two points with 15:58 remaining in the first half before Vanguard started heating up.

Kelly Schmidt knocked down a jumper to start a 12-0 run for the Lions. Lindsey Rinke drained a pair of three-pointers during the outburst that increased the lead to 21-7.

The margin got even bigger at the close of the half, as Schmidt’s three-pointer began a 9-0 run. The forward scored 15 of her game-high 22 points in the first half.

The rest of the game went fairly quietly as San Diego Christian made small inroads into the deficit before Vanguard pulled away again.

Andrea Jacobson scored 11 of her 14 points in the second half, making all five of her field goal attempts.

The Lions’ biggest lead was 58 points after Lacey Burns sank a three-pointer with 1:15 remaining in the game.

Schmidt grabbed nine rebounds to go with her 22 points. The forward made 9 of 15 shots from the field, and also had six assists and three steals.

Rachel Besse added 17 points and six rebounds for the Lions.

Vanguard’s Tiari Goold finished with 13 points and 11 assists, also making three steals.

For San Diego Christian, Amy Showers led the way with 15 points -- all on three-pointers. Alisa Anderson added 14 points, making four three-pointers. The Hawks committed 30 turnovers in the game.

The Lions return to action Tuesday with a 5:30 p.m. game against Biola, who they beat, 79-43, on Dec. 3 in La Mirada.

Golden State

Athletic Conference

Vanguard 94,

San Diego Christian 39

Score by Halves