California Baptist University
Vanguard
ROYAL FLUSH
12/30/2008 8:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
LAS VEGAS, Nev. ? Not since 1997 has California Baptist had the pleasure of saying they defeated Vanguard, but that 11-year drought and 27-game losing streak is no more after the Lancers knocked off No. 2 Vanguard, 92-90, in overtime to win the Las Vegas Shoot-Out.
“This is definitely the biggest game we have won since I came here last year,” said CBU head coach Danelle Bishop. “We are finally learning to trust each other on both ends of the floor. Everyone is stepping into their role and understands what they need to do.”
The defending national champion needed a questionable 3-point buzzer beater to force overtime, but CBU put the Lions away in the extra period. Trailing 83-80 with just a few seconds left, Vanguard's Rachel Copeland fired up a long-range shot that caromed off the rim for a long rebound. The ball eventually found its way into the hands of Jaclyn Blied who fired a shot as the buzzer sounded to tie it at 83. Bishop questioned whether Blied got the shot off before the buzzer sounded, but after a lengthy discussion the officiating crew confirmed the call.
In overtime it was the hero the Lancers had turned to the previous two nights as Jeanine Deno hit the game-winning shot late in overtime to seal the win. Deno scored 13 points while Heather Couzens scored a season-high 28 points to lead all scorers. Couzens also notched her first double-double of the season with 16 boards.
“Jeanine's winning mentality is what carried us through overtime,” said Bishop. “She hit the clutch shots and also got some key rebounds. Heather had struggled the first two nights, but tonight she was the key to our offense. There were times where we were starting to settle for outside shots, but she got us going again with her play inside.”
Nicole Davis scored 16 points while Brenna Hahn added 14. Davis also dished out a game-high seven assists.
CBU held Vanguard to just 39.6 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from beyond the arc. The Lancers also won the battle of the boards (49-43) and turned the ball over one less time than the Lions (18-17).
It was the second straight year the first battle between these two teams ventured into overtime, but it was the Lions who scored the victory last year in Van Dyne Gym. The win over Vanguard also tied the longest winning streak under Bishop. The Lancers opened the 2007-08 season by winning their first five games.
