Women’s basketball: Lions win in overtime

Tony Altobelli

LA MIRADA - For those associated with the Vanguard University

women’s basketball team, the screeching noise you may have heard in your

subconscious Saturday night was the Lions finally turning the corner on

their season.

And Rachel Fikse was the main driver slamming on the gas pedal.

The senior’s six footer with one second remaining in overtime

propelled the Lions to a 77-76 Golden State Athletic Conference win over

host Biola.

“She’s one of our seniors and she stepped up like we expect our

seniors to do,” Vanguard Coach Russ Davis said of Fikse, who finished the

game with nine points and nine rebounds.

The numbers may not sound all that impressive, but Fikse’s play down

the stretch certainly was.

The Lions (11-5, 4-3 in conference) trailed, 66-59, with 1:30

remaining and appeared to be headed for defeat.

Two Becki Huddle free throws cut the lead to five and with 1:05

remaining, Fikse went to work.

The 5-foot-11 forward stole an Eagles’ pass to give the ball back to

the Lions. She then capped off the play by hitting a big three-pointer

with 1:05 remaining, cutting the lead to 66-64.

The Eagles (6-14, 3-4) missed on their next trip down the floor and

lost possession on a jump ball, giving the Lions a chance to draw even

with 35 seconds left.

Vanguard missed its next shot, but retained possession when a Biola

player tipped the ball out of bounds.

Off the inbounds pass, Fikse caught, stopped, shot and nailed a

12-footer with 11 seconds left, tying the score and sending the game into

overtime.

In the extra five-minute period, Vanguard started cold, missing its

first five shots.

Heidi Hardeman (eight points, seven rebouds) nailed a clutch

three-pointer with 1:44 left, giving the Eagles a four-point lead.

The Lions refused to go away. Two made free throws by Paulette Seaman

(seven points) and a jumper by Beth Weidler (10 points) tied the game

with 49 seconds left.

Eagles’ junior Sarah Montavon (23 points) got open and buried a

15-footer with 27 seconds left to break the tie.

Vanguard forward Courtney McKinney (seven points) made one free throw

to cut the deficit in half, butthe Lions were forced to foul Baird to

stop the clock with 17 ticks remaining.

Baird, a 79% free-throw shooter this season, missed both shots,

allowing the Lions one more chance.

Lions’ leading scorer Becki Huddle (18 points, nine rebounds, eight

assists) tried to weave her 5-foot-4 frame into the Eagles’ tall timbers,

but her shot missed the mark. Fortunately, Fikse was there to grab the

loose ball and her six-footer found nothing but the bottom of the net,

giving the Lions a miraculous win.

“That’s exactly how we designed it in the timeout,” Davis said,

jokingly. “Seriously, it was nice to see everyone contribute out there.

Hopefully, this is the win that turns it all around for us.”

Early in the game, the Lions had no answer for Baird. The Eagles’

leading scorer and rebounder, who entered the game averaging just over 16

points and nine rebounds per contest, scored 21 of the team’s 28

first-half points.

Huddle’s 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the first half

helped the Lions lead, 30-28, despite 16 Vanguard turnovers and Baird’s

points barrage.

“We had some matchup problems out there,” Davis said. “We had some

good looks early, but we didn’t capitalize on as many as we should have.

We also were throwing the ball all over the gym, but we settled down in

the second half.”

With the Lions’ focus squarely on Baird, Montavon went to work,

scoring 19 of her 23 points in the second half.

After a slow first half, Kelly Boeke managed to find some shots and

finished the game with 15 points.

“We showed some mental toughness down the stretch,” Davis said. “It

was a very nice win for us in a hostile environment.”

GOLDEN STATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Vanguard University 77, Biola 76

Vanguard - Huddle 18, Boeke 15, Weidler 10, Fikse 9, Seaman 7,

McKinney 7, Lee 5, Dittenbir 4, Axelson 2.

3 pt. goals - Huddle 3, Weidler 2, Fikse 1, Seaman 1, Lee 1.

Fouled out - none.

Technical fouls - none.

Biola - Baird 33, Montavon 23, Hardeman 8, Luce 5, Fuqua 4, Perkins 3.

3 pt. goals - Baird 4, Montavon 4, Hardeman 1.

Fouled out - Fuqua.

Technical fouls - none.

Halftime - Vanguard, 30-28

Regulation - tied, 66-66