Pfohl, Lions too much for Pt. Loma

COSTA MESA — Host Vanguard University sent 5-foot-4 point guard Sarah Boyd out to jump for the tipoff against 6-2 Point Loma Nazarene All-American center Colleen Planeta Tuesday night.

But when Boyd watched passively as Planeta skied to gain control of the ball for her team, it proved to be the last passive act for the No. 5-ranked hosts, who proceeded to attack relentlessly en route to a 70-53 Golden State Athletic Conference women’s basketball victory over the No. 2-ranked Sea Lions.

The win lifted Vanguard to 14-2, 10-2 in conference and knocked Point Loma (20-2, 11-2) out of first place, which is now occupied by No. 9-ranked Azusa Pacific (18-4, 11-1). The Lions, who have won six of the last seven conference championships, are now a game out of first and a half-game behind second-place Point Loma.

Azusa Pacific, which beat Vanguard, 101-92 in Azusa on Jan. 16, visits Vanguard on Feb. 20.

“We’re starting to hit our stride a little bit now,” Vanguard Coach Russ Davis said. “We’re starting to play with a little bit of a swagger. We have got to remember we’re the defending champions. We’re the ones who have dominated this conference the last 10 years. We’ve got to play with a swagger and a chip on our shoulder and we have been the last four games. We’ve still got a way to go, but I’m excited.”

The Lions exhibited their swagger by using dribble penetration to gash the visitors’ two-three zone, then distributing the ball inside, as well as to the three-point line, to create quality shots.

Senior guards Sarah Boyd and Bridgette Reyes were catalysts, finding gaps off the dribble and frequently finding 6-0 junior center Molly Pfohl in the paint.

Pfohl amassed 22 points and 12 rebounds in what Davis said was the best game of her career. She made eight of 12 field-goal tries, many of which where short shots in the face of the taller Planeta, who wound up fouling out with 2:43 remaining.

“I thought Molly was fantastic inside,” Davis said. “She didn’t hesitate. And I thought [Boyd with four assists] and [Reyes with five] were amazing with those dump passes.”

Boyd, who has typically been a pass-first floor leader, had 17 points and four assists.

“Sarah is playing off the charts right now,” Davis said.

Boyd’s two three-pointers doubled those converted by Point Loma, which one for 14 from beyond the arc.