Vanguard keeps the fire going

No. 1 Lions lead the entire game to snap Point Loma’s six-game win streak and extend their own season-long string to 21 wins.COSTA MESA -- The best way to beat a hot team, apparently, is to be an even hotter team.

Five players scored in double figures for Vanguard University, led by Kelly Schmidt’s 19 points, as the Lions defeated Point Loma Nazarene, 73-64, in a Golden State Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Tuesday.

The victory ended a six-game winning streak for Point Loma Nazarene and extended Vanguard’s to 21.

The Lions (21-0, 14-0 in conference), ranked No. 1 in NAIA Division I all season, led from wire to wire. The lead grew to as many as 21 points in the second half before the Sea Lions were able to trim it to single digits in the final two minutes.

Schmidt played all 40 minutes for Vanguard, grabbing six rebounds to go with her 19 points. Rachel Besse recorded a double-double, finishing with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Lacey Burns connected on four three-pointers for the Lions, and ended with 13 points and five assists in 37 minutes of action. Jessica Richter had 11 points, nine rebounds and five steals before fouling out. Tiari Goold chipped in with 10 points, nine assists and three steals.

Point Loma Nazarene (16-5, 10-3), ranked No. 18 in NAIA, was outrebounded, 39-28.

Kerra Wodarski was the main thorn in Vanguard’s side. The forward scored a game-high 29 points for the Sea Lions, 21 of them in the second half.

Vanguard returns to action on Saturday night, traveling to Santa Clarita to face No. 12 The Master’s in conference play.

Golden State Athletic Conference

Vanguard 73,

Point Loma Nazarene 64

Score by Halves