Vanguard rolls over Cougars

COSTA MESA ? Vanguard University women’s basketball coach Russ Davis compared his team to a finely tuned sports car Monday night and there was very little shifting in the Lions’ 96-67 rout of visiting Azusa Pacific.

Vanguard, ranked No. 1 in NAIA Division I, accelerated to a 7-0 lead and continued to pull away to complete its regular season 27-0, 20-0 in the Golden State Athletic Conference.

The Lions, who open the GSAC Tournament Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at home against an opponent to be determined, made No. 14-ranked APU (22-8, 14-6), look like a domestic compact most of the game.

“We have so many parts on our team, we’re like a Porsche,” Davis said after his team’s fourth straight win by at least 20 points, which followed a stretch of six games decided by an average of 11 points. “It’s like any time we want, we can put the pedal to the metal and pull away from our opponent. But I’ve been talking to my players about putting the pedal to the metal from the first minute to the 40th minute. At this time of year, it’s all about intensity.”

Davis said his team may have played better games this season, but he was extremely pleased with the regular-season finale, in front of 975 at The Pit.

“That was great,” Davis said. “I’m so proud of the girls. They really stepped it up.”

Sophomore Jessica Richter and junior Kelly Schmidt made sure the Lions remained in passing gear.

Richter had 23 of her 32 points in the second half and finished with nine rebounds, five steals and three assists. She made 11 of 22 field-goal attempts and was 9 of 9 from the foul line.

Schmidt, a two-time All-American who could easily repeat at GSAC Player of the Year, contributed 23 points and nine boards. She was 8 of 13 from the field and sank 7 of 10 free throws.

Junior point guard Tiari Goold chipped in eight assists, seven points and four steals for the winners.

Rachel Besse had 10 points and five rebounds, while Lacey Burns had three three-pointers and three assists to round out the Vanguard starters.

Vanguard led, 43-26, by halftime and pushed the advantage to 32 with 1:42 left in the game.