Westmont Men’s Basketball (11-7, 5-4) used two runs of 9-0 and 14-0 in the first half to defeat the Lions of Vanguard by a score of 71-54 on Saturday night in Costa Mesa. Three guards scored in double-digits to lead the Warriors. Senior Tyler Dutton and junior Andrew Schmalbach each made thee from long range and scored 13 apiece. Junior Chris Jackson scored 12 points, tallied seven assists and pulled down five rebounds.
The Warriors’ defense held the Lions to 33.3% shooting (18 of 54) from the field and 26.1% (6 of 23) from beyond the arc. Westmont shot 51.1% from the floor (24 of 57) and 58.3% from three-point range (7 of 12). The Warriors out-rebounded Vanguard 41-26.
After falling behind 11-4 to start the game, Dutton hit back-to-back threes to start a 9-0 run which gave the Warriors a 15-11 advantage. The Lions tied the game at 17 and again at 19, before the Warriors exploded again with 14 straight points to go ahead 33-19 with 7:05 to go in the first half.
Down by 11 points at halftime (43-32), Vanguard’s Tony Trajceski (4 points, 5 rebounds) scored on a layup and Dennis Heenan (15 points, 4 rebounds) drained a three to cut Westmont’s lead to six (43-37) at the start of the second period. But Schmalbach responded with a three-pointer and a jumper and Jackson added a layup to put Westmont back in front 50-37 with 15:54 to go in the game. Westmont did not surrender a double-digit lead again.
Sophomore center Evan Haines contributed eight points and four rebounds while junior forward Bobby Fenske put up seven points and pulled down seven boards. Sophomore forward Dan Rasp tallied six points and six rebounds.
In other Golden State Athletic Conference action, #6 Fresno Pacific (16-3, 9-0) got past visiting Concordia (14-5, 5-4) by a 84-80 margin. #15 California Baptist (14-4, 5-4) fell at Biola (14-5, 5-4) by a score of 67-64. #23 The Master’s (13-6, 5-4) gained a 69-62 road victory over Point Loma Nazarene (12-8, 5-4).
Fresno remains in first place in the GSAC, three games ahead of second place Azusa Pacific (13-6, 6-3) which was idle tonight. Westmont finds itself a game behind Azusa Pacific and in a six-way tie for third place in the conference with California Baptist, Concordia, Point Loma Nazarene, Biola and The Master’s. Vanguard is another two games back in ninth place.
The Warriors will host Azusa Pacific on Tuesday night with the opportunity to move into a second place tie with the Cougars. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. following the women’s game.
