Vanguard remains perfect

IRVINE — The Vanguard women’s basketball team, the No. 1-ranked team in the NAIA, remained undefeated with a 72-54 road victory over Concordia University of Irvine Tuesday.

The Lions improved to 9-0, 4-0 in the Golden State Athletic Conference. Vanguard plays only conference games the remainder of the regular season.

Vanguard senior forward Kelly Schmidt scored a game-high 24 points on eight-of-14 shooting from the field and eight of nine from the free-throw line. The NAIA Player of the Year and three-time All-American also grabbed nine rebounds and recorded three steals.

Lions’ junior guard Jessica Richter scored nine points and grabbed 11 rebounds with three steals, while junior teammate Melissa Cook came off the bench to score 16 points on six-of-10 shooting, dish out three assists and grab seven rebounds, five of which were offensive.

Forward Priscilla Angeloni led Concordia (6-6, 1-3 in conference) with 13 points on six-of-11 shooting. Savanna Anderson grabbed a team-high nine rebounds for Concordia.

The Lions held a 28-26 lead at halftime after being outshot by the Eagles. Vanguard shot 36% from the field, hitting 12 of 33 shots and only two of 13 three-pointers. Concordia connected at 39%, hitting 11 of 28 shots.

Concordia held its largest lead of the game in the first half, when the Eagles went up 17-12 on a put-back from Angeloni with 10 minutes, 55 seconds remaining in the half.

The Lions then responded with a 15-5 run over the next seven minutes to take a 27-22 lead. Cook scored 12 points in the run, connecting on her two three-point shot attempts.

Vanguard upped its offensive and defensive intensity in the second half. The Lions shot 52% from the field on 14-of-27 shooting, and hit five-of-10 three-pointers.

The Lions’ defense held Concordia to 27% shooting in the second half, sinking eight of 29 shots. Vanguard also outrebounded Concordia 41-33.

Concordia remained close in the second half, tying the game, 39-39, on two free throws from Lauren Sahli. The Lions answered with a 14-2 run over the next four minutes to take a commanding 53-41 lead.

Schmidt got the run started with a layup, then stole a pass leading to her scoring on a jump shot. Schmidt scored seven points in the run that was punctuated by back-to-back three-pointers from Joyanne Butler and Richter.

Concordia climbed to within 56-47 with 5:00 remaining in the game, but Vanguard went on an 8-0 run to seal the contest. Lindsey Rinke hit a jump shot, Schmidt added a pair of free throws and Richter connected on her second three-pointer.

Senior forward Lacey Burns scored eight points, hitting three of seven from the field and two of five from three-point range. Burns also had two assists and two steals.

Vanguard finished the game shooting 43% from the field, 30% on three-pointers and connecting on 13-of-19 free-throw attempts.

Vanguard faces Westmont College Saturday at home at 5:30 p.m.

Golden State

Athletic Conference

Vanguard 72,

Concordia 54

Vanguard -- Schmidt 24, Cook 16, Richter 9, Burns 8, Besse 7, Jacobson 3, Butler 3.

3-pt. goals -- Burns 2, Richter 2, Cook 2, Butler 1.

Fouled out -- None.

Technicals -- None.

Concordia -- Angeloni 13, Quan 8, Sahli 9, Anderson 6, Steliga 6, Torres 4, Nichols 2, McDaniel 2.

3-pt. goals -- Quan 2, Angeloni 1.

Fouled out -- Torres.

Technicals -- None.

Halftime -- 28-26, Vanguard.