COSTA MESA – Riding the momentum of Thursday’s upset win over the fourth-seeded Eagles of Biola, fifth-seeded Westmont Men’s Basketball (18-12) ventured south to Costa Mesa for a semifinal battle in “The Pit” with ninth-ranked Vanguard (26-6) – the league’s top seed.
The Lions bested the Warriors in Santa Barbara on January 21 by 11, 85-74, and handed the Warriors their worst loss of the season on February 11 in Costa Mesa, 80-58. Tonight, to the chagrin of the Westmont faithful, the Warriors fell again – 90-80.
At stake for the two sides was a Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament Championship Game berth, which is to be played this upcoming Tuesday against third-seeded #23 Hope International (22-9) at a site to be determined. The Royals defeated seventh-seeded The Masters 61-56 in Fullerton to win their eighth straight game.
Coming into this season, Westmont has traditionally dominated the matchup. Dating back to 2009, the Warriors have boasted 10 consecutive victories over the Lions, holding a 56-21 record overall. This year, however, Vanguard has had the upper hand, defeating Westmont twice in regular-season competition.
“I’m quite proud of the way our team came into (Vanguard’s) gym expecting to compete and win,” admired Westmont head coach John Moore. “We showed ourselves as a team that possesses a never-give-up mentality. There weren’t any reservations on our part that we were going to do everything we could to win. Unfortunately, it just didn’t happen.”
Westmont led for approximately 14 minutes before falling behind with 3:41 remaining in the introductory period. Two free throws by All-GSAC performer C.J. Miller (game-high 27 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, two blocks) catapulted the Warriors back on top with 2:30 on the clock.
Nonetheless, a three-point jumper by the conference’s Player of the Year, Preston Wynne (23 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals), quickly erased the Warriors’ advantage. Redshirt freshman Billy Keller (11 points, 5 assists, 3 steals) then converted on two more attempts from the charity stripe to recreate a deadlock at 36 – the eventual halftime score line.
Vanguard came blazing out of the locker room, knocking down three consecutive field goals. Nevertheless, Westmont held their ground as Miller and Mantas Drungys (10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) each drilled long-range buckets to keep pace, tying the contest at 46 just three minutes into the latter period.
Over the next eight minutes, the Lions would outscore the Warriors 19-13, developing a 65-59 lead. Despite Westmont’s frantic efforts to close the gap, Wynne and company proved to be too powerful.
It was a tale of two halves statistically. After each team posted near identical numbers in the first half, the men in maroon dropped considerably in several deadly categories: free throw percentage (first half: 11-of-13, game: 14-of-22) and turnovers (first half: eight, game: 17).
Conversely, Vanguard totaled a 91 percent effort from the free-throw line (30-of-33), and only gave the ball away 12 times.
“I think our seniors played valiantly,” affirmed Moore. “Jason Ritchey (12 points, 1 rebound) got us off to great start. Brendan Hill (4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal) led us well and defended enthusiastically. Mantas and C.J., with 38 minutes each, fought hard and we couldn’t afford to have either off of the floor. Finally, Marcus Farrand (3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 blocks) proved why he is one of the finest leaders I have ever had on my team and in our program. He was so hungry for our team and he refused to let them do anything but keep hope alive.”
Moore’s crew will now have to play the waiting game to find out whether or not they will be invited as an at-large selection on Wednesday for the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City.
“There is a chance,” said a smiling Moore. “We’re just going to keep hope alive.”
