California Baptist University
Vanguard
NO MIRACLE ON MAGNOLIA
2/13/2011 5:16:00 AM | Women's Basketball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Anyone who was witness to the improbable comeback No. 5 California Baptist University pulled off last time they faced No. 14 Vanguard was saying the same thing during the final two minutes of the teams' meeting on Saturday.
Here we go again.
CBU had been down by as much as 10 points with 3:23 to play, but clawed its way back to within five with 1:53 remaining. The Lancers could not complete the comeback, however, as a put-back two-pointer with 1.6 seconds was not enough. CBU was left one point short at 79-78.
“You have to give them credit, they made timely plays down the stretch,” said Head Coach John Marcum. “I thought we fouled too much at the end and gave up some crucial second chance points that we really couldn't afford to.”
The Lancers pulled to within five on a Renetha Burton layup and then cut the deficit to just three on two free throws by Marlee Rice. After the teams traded baskets, Vanguard's Veronica Beavor hit a clutch jumper in the lane to give the Lions a 79-74 lead with :37 seconds to play.
Off the inbounds the Lancers raced down the court and V.V. Vasciunaite found Burton open under the basket for an easy lay-in.
Immediately after the Lions brought the ball in, CBU fouled, sending Danielle Arriola to the line for one-and-one. Arriola missed the first foul shot, giving the Lancers :18 seconds to force overtime with a miracle 3-pointer for the second time this season.
CBU swung the ball around the perimeter looking for an open shot and with time winding down Rice put up a contested shot in the corner that rimmed out. Burton grabbed the board and laid it back in, but it was too little too late as vanguard inbounded the ball and ran out the final 1.6 seconds.
“We definitely had our chances tonight,” said Marcum. “You have to be able to finish it, though. There were a lot of plays before that point that could have changed things as well.”
CBU was also down by as much as 10 in the first half but made a run to close the gap to four on a 3-pointer by Vasciunaite. With just 6.7 seconds remaining Arriola got an open 3-pointer off that went in at the buzzer to give Vanguard a 39-32 advantage going into the break.
Vanguard was led by Molly Pfohl with 23 points and nine rebounds. Beavor had 16 points for the Lions, hitting 4-of-6 3-pointers.
Burton led CBU with 21 points and eight boards, five of which came on the offensive end. Vasciunaite and S.J. Simmons each had 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting.
CBU shot 43.1 percent on the game and hit 81.3 percent of its free throws, but shot below their season average behind the arc at 33.3 percent.
“We just have to move on and worry about Tuesday now,” said Marcum. “We can't dwell on it.”
The Lancers move to 19-7 overall, 12-4 GSAC and will face San Diego Christian Tuesday at home. Vanguard moves to 14-8, 10-6 on the season.
