Monterey Times

Vanguard University Athletics issued the following announcement on Dec. 18.

Vanguard used a balanced scoring attack and knocked down 11 threes in a complete effort, stunning No. 3 Talladega 84-76 on Saturday afternoon at The Pit.

It was the highest ranked opponent the Lions have defeated during head coach Rhett Soliday's 12-year tenure. Vanguard's previous highest ranked win was against No. 5 The Master's, 82-75, on Jan. 17, 2019.

The Lions shot 52.7 percent for the game, hitting 11 of 25 (44.0%) from three-point territory. They also connected on 15 of 18 (83.3%) from the foul line.

Nine Lions scored at least six points, including four in double figures led by 16 from Garrett White (SR/Post Falls, ID). In just his second start this season, Christian Wilson (SR/Temecula, CA) came up big with 14 points and five rebounds. The consistently productive VU bench also contributed prominently as Jon Scherer (JR/Mission Viejo, CA) scored 11 points – all in the first half – and Jordan Caruso (JR/New York, NY) had 10.

Vanguard also committed only nine turnovers against a Talladega defense that came in forcing nearly 17 per game this season.

Seven different Lions hit at least one three-pointer as the team won for the ninth time in the last 11 games, improving to 9-4 on the season. The Tornadoes suffered their first loss and fell to 12-1 on the season.

What Happened?: Vanguard trailed up until the midway point of the first half before heating up. The Lions went on a 16-2 run to turn an 18-15 deficit into a 31-20 advantage with 6:51 to go. The three ball played a primary role in the burst as Scherer's two triples were sandwiched by one apiece from Isaac Davis (SR/Valencia, CA) and Masie Mohammadi (SR/San Carlos, CA).

The Lions built their largest lead of the game at 18, 39-21, on Wilson's layup with 4:46 remaining.

Talladega fought back and ended the half scoring 16 of the final 21 points to trail 44-37 at the break. Kamron Brice hit a pair of threes and Edwin Louis had another during the run.

The Tornadoes opened the second half with four straight points, with a bucket from Cam Potts narrowing the Vanguard lead to 44-41 less than a minute in.

Vanguard received a dunk from Wilson and a conventional three-point play from Phillip Willis (JR/San Diego, CA) as part of an 10-0 run that pushed the lead back to double digits, 54-41.

In a game of runs, the Tornadoes had another one in their bag as they answered back with nine straight points to make the score 54-50 with 12:33 to play.

With the game tightening, VU reserves Nico Dasca (JR/Costa Mesa, CA), Andre Allen (SR/Los Angeles, CA) and Caruso scored eight consecutive points as the Lions took a 62-50 lead. Dasca and Allen both hit threes during the run.

Talladega stormed back with nine of the next 11 points, as Jordan Crumbley's trey with 8:43 remaining got the Tornadoes within five, 64-59. After a VU timeout, Garrett White scored through contact and converted the traditional three-point play after getting fouled by Crumbley.

The Lions penetrated into the paint and got consecutive layups from Caruso, Dasca and White to take a 73-63 lead with 6:38 to go.

The Tornadoes had one last push, pulling within four at 79-75 on Jervay Green's three.

However, Wilson hit three of four free throws and the Lions forced a turnover and two Talladega misses down the stretch to pull out the eight-point victory. Talladega made just one of its last six shots as VU's defense held the visitors to 40.5 percent shooting in the second half.

Why Is It Important?: VU is 7-0 this season when scoring more than 80 points. The Lions also shot better than 50 percent from the field for the third straight game. Talladega ranks third in the NAIA in field goal percentage defense (.360).

What Was Said?: "I'm proud of the guys grit and resilience tonight," said Head Coach Rhett Soliday. Coach (Chris) Wright and his team deserve to be No. 3 in the country. They are that good and it took everything we had tonight at home to find a way. Every time we relaxed, they closed the gap in a flash. We were really fortunate that we got it going from three in the first half. Jon Scherer came in and changed the game as a shot maker. His 11 points at half gave us the cushion we needed to close out the second half. Overall this is a great team win and gives us wonderful momentum heading into the Christmas break."

What's Next?: Vanguard is off for the Christmas break and returns to action on Thursday, December 30 against La Sierra in The Pit. Tip time is set for 3:00 p.m.

Original source can be found here.