Lions have help in reserve

Backup center scores 16 to help Vanguard women top one of their toughest foes yet and remain No. 1 in NAIA Division I.AZUSA -- Vanguard University’s women’s basketball team faced one of its toughest battles yet, and got some help from an unexpected source.

Backup center Andrea Jacobson scored a season-high 16 points as the Lions defeated Azusa Pacific, 88-76, on Tuesday night. The game was a matchup of the No. 1 and No. 9 teams in NAIA Division I.

Vanguard (17-0, 10-0) led from wire to wire, thanks in part to the play of Jacobson. The junior from Brea Olinda High, who was averaging 5.5 points per game, made five of her seven shots from the field, and six of eight free throws.

Kelly Schmidt led the Lions with 18 points and nine rebounds in what was a foul-plagued game. Vanguard committed 26 personal fouls, as Schmidt and Tiari Goold fouled out. Azusa Pacific, which had three players foul out, had 28 fouls in the game.

The difference was in the shooting, as Vanguard connected on 51.8% of its shots (going 29 of 56 from the field). Azusa Pacific shot 34.3% for the game, making just two of its 18 three-pointer attempts.

Rachel Besse and Jessica Richter each had 16 points for the Lions, with Besse adding four blocks and three steals. Lacey Burns had eight points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Lindsey West had 27 points and 11 rebounds for the Cougars, who outrebounded Vanguard, 46-35.

The Lions’ next game is 5:30 p.m. Saturday at home against San Diego Christian.

Golden State Athletic Conference

Vanguard 88,

Azusa Pacific 76

Score by Halves