Lions extend streak

AZUSA — Trying to make a point with an official, Vanguard University women’s basketball coach Russ Davis likened the physical play in the paint Saturday night to action more befitting an NFL contest.

“It’s just like Sunday and we’ve got the Packer game on,” Davis shouted at an official running upcourt.

But as it relates to dominance, a Patriots reference might have been more appropriate, since the Lions have been as unbeatable in Golden State Athletic Conference play as the New England football club, only for a much longer period of time.

Vanguard’s 91-71 conference triumph Saturday at Azusa Pacific University’s Felix Event Center, upped the Lions’ regular-season conference winning streak to 53. It also knocked the Cougars’ out of a first-place conference tie, leaving Vanguard in its familiar spot atop the GSAC standings.

Vanguard (11-2, 7-0 in conference), ranked No. 3 in NAIA Division I, now has the inside track on what would be its sixth straight GSAC regular-season title. Since the Lions finished third in the GSAC in 2001-02, they are now 101-6 in regular-season conference games, against schools that comprise one of the nation’s strongest conferences. APU (14-3, 6-1) is ranked No. 6 nationally, making it one of four GSAC teams ranked in the top eight (Point Loma Nazarene, which plays host to Vanguard Tuesday at 5:30 p.m, is ranked No. 7, while The Master’s is No. 8). Cal Baptist is ranked No. 19 in the Top 25, while Westmont is among those with votes.

The Lions, whose average margin of victory in conference this season is 29.3 points, did it with balance and offensive efficiency Saturday, overcoming an early deficit brought on by some strong outside shooting by the hosts.

APU had five three-pointers from four players in the first 10:14 to take a 24-18 advantage.

But, despite the fact that Vanguard senior Jessica Richter, the 2006-07 NAIA Player of the Year and a two-time All-American, had no field goals the first 16 minutes of the game, senior Lindsey Rinke’s 12-foot jumper with 7:03 erased the Cougars’ final lead, creating the last of five lead changes in a game in which the score was tied six times.

After making just five of their first 16 field-goal attempts, a three-pointer by Rinke, celebrating her 22nd birthday, began a stretch in which VU connected on 14 of their final 18 shots from the field before halftime.

Rinke’s aforementioned jumper to give the Lions the lead for good, began a 12-0 run that took just more than two minutes.

Vanguard finished the half on a 23-9 run that produced a 51-38 advantage. Then, by connecting from the outside, and burning the APU defense with precision cuts, aggressive drives, and unselfish passing, the visitors continued to widen the lead after intermission.

When Richter scored on a layup with 16:22 left in the game, Vanguard had made 20 of its last 27 field-goal attempts and created a 64-45 advantage.

The lead got as big as 26 on a Rinke putback with 9:40 left, and the hosts got no closer than 15 down the stretch.

“That’s a good team,” Davis said of APU. “[The Cougars] have beaten seven ranked teams and they deserve to be ranked where they are. We played really well tonight.”

Richter finished with a game-high 22 points and added 10 rebounds, while fellow senior Melissa Cook chipped in 20 points and 10 boards.

Cook, who at one point made six straight field-goal tries, including a trio of three-pointers, was seven of 13 from the field.

“Cook is playing off the charts right now,” Davis said. “She’s proving she’s one of the best players in the conference and in the nation.”

Davis said Richter’s early lull had to do with APU’s defensive focus.

“Every time [Richter] got the ball, they were running three players at her,” Davis said. “She had to work pretty darn hard for those 22 points, but she always works hard.”

Junior Lauren Gregory, unable to start because of what Davis said was a “team thing,” had 16 points and nine rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench.

Rinke made five of seven field-goal attempts, including a three-pointer, to finish with 12 points.

Paige Halberg had seven assists and four steals, while fellow freshman Sarah Boyd had five assists and five points. Boyd, who fouled out, was among seven Lions who netted three-pointers.

Sarah Leathers, who had four three-pointers, led APU with 18 points.

Golden State Athletic Conference

Vanguard 91, Azusa Pacific 71

VU – Cook 20, Pfohl 9, Richter 22, Halberg 0, Boyd 5, Gregory 16, Rinke 12, Carlson 5, Reyes 2.

3-pt. goals – Cook 3, Pfohl 1, Boyd 1, Richter 1, Rinke 1, Carlson 1, Gregory 1.

Fouled out – Boyd.Technicals – None.

APU – Byrd 5, Hala’ufia 15, Leathers 18, Johnson 10, Shipp 5, Hill 12, Raber 4, Eddington 2.

3-pt. goals – Leathers 4, Byrd 1, Shipp 1, Hill 1.

Halftime – VU, 51-38.

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at barry.faulkner@latimes.com.