Lions ousted in semi
AZUSA — The Vanguard University women’s basketball team stayed within striking range of host Azusa Pacific, even when their shooters continually failed to find the range from the field.
As has been its primary weakness all season, Vanguard made 21 of 63 field-goal attempts (33.3%), including just nine of 31 in the second half (29%) and seven of 26 from three-point range (26.9%). The result was a 73-66 triumph for the Cougars in the Golden State Athletic Conference semifinal.
The loss drops Vanguard, ranked No. 11 in the NAIA and seeded No. 3 in the GSAC Tournament, to 23-6. Vanguard will venture to Kentucky for its 11th straight appearance in the NAIA Tournament.
No. 12-ranked APU (24-6), which won the NAIA crown last season and was runner-up in the 2009-10 campaign, will also venture to Kentucky. But not before the No. 2-seeded Cougars battle regular-season conference champion Westmont in the GSAC Tournament final on Monday at Westmont.
The Cougars wrapped up their home season at 15-0 and extended their overall winning streak to nine games.
Vanguard had won eight straight coming in, but never led on Friday.
APU bolted to a 7-0 advantage and was up, 30-15, with 6:13 left in the first half.
Two three-pointers by junior Chelsea Alfafara helped Vanguard finish the first half on a 14-5 run. But two turnovers on their first two second-half possessions temporarily stalled the Lions’ comeback bid.
But after not attempting a free throw in the first half, the Lions’ repeated drives drew a stream of fouls that led to them converting 17 of 20 foul shots to continually chip away.
When junior forward Maree Drennan made a driving layin with 11:33 left in the game, the Lions had pulled even, 39-39.
APU immediately answered with a 5-0 run in a 34-second span and the surge sparked a 12-2 spurt that created what proved to be an insurmountable lead.
Vanguard, which was led by senior all-conference performer Paige Halberg’s 19 points, eight assists and three steals, twice pulled to within four. But the Cougars sank 11 of 14 free throws in the final 2:01 to pull away.
“We just didn’t shoot well,” Vanguard Coach Russ Davis said. “That’s the first time in several games we didn’t shoot 40%. That’s tough to win games that way.”
APU has been winning games behind all-conference seniors Amber Williams and Briana Hall and the duo did not disappoint Friday. Williams, a 6-foot post, had 20 points and 12 rebounds. Hall, a cat-quick point guard, had 20 points and six assists. Hall was 10 of 12 from the foul line.
APU posted a 48-33 rebounding advantage and held a 151-99 edge in that department in three games against Vanguard this season. The Lions, who split their regular-season meetings with APU, had just 10 turnovers, but gave away a 30-18 deficit on points in the paint.
All-conference junior post Esther Timmermans had 10 points and a team-best seven rebounds for Vanguard.
“Playing on the road against a good team like [APU] is only going to make us better,” Davis said.
Twitter: @BarryFaulkner5
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Golden State Athletic Conference
Tournament semifinal
Azusa Pacific 73, Vanguard 66
VU – M. Drennan 4, Timmermans 10, Halberg 19, Beavor 9, A. Drennan 8, Alfafara 6, Burns 5, Castillo 3, Belmont 2.
3-pt. goals – Beavor 2, A. Drennan 2, Alfafara 2, Burns 1.
Fouled out – None.
Technicals – None.
APU – Barrett 10, Roehrakasse 9, Williams 20, Hall 20, Sims 8, Powell 3, Reed 2, Kenny 1.
3-pt. goals – Barrett 3, Sims 2.
Fouled out – None.
Technicals – None.
Halftime – 35-29, APU.