Box Score After being named earlier in the day the NAIA National Men's Basketball Division I Player of the Week, Preston Branson turned in a 19-point performance to lead Westmont Men's Basketball (11-3) to an 80-60 win over Vanguard (2-11). With the win, Westmont improves to 3-2 in the Golden State Athletic Conference standings and Vanguard falls to 0-5. Branson is only the third men's basketball player to receive NAIA Player of the Week honors. The last to do so was Brian Gomes in 1998.

Mark Sheard was the first Warrior to receive Player of the Week recognition in 1984. The sophomore guard was named the Player of the Week after scoring 18 points - including the game-winner with 1.8 seconds left - against Bethany Lutheran (Minn.) and then tallying 40 points against British Columbia. The Warriors fell behind early against Vanguard, trailing 10-2 five minutes after a tip-off. However, a three-pointer by Niko Brooks (13 points, 4 assists) helped get the momentum turned around, and by halftime, Westmont held a six-point advantage (34-28).

The second half belonged to the Warriors who shot 48.5 percent from the floor including 62.5 percent from beyond the arc in the final frame. Jordan Sachs added 12 points to the Warriors' totals and pulled down six rebounds. Blake Bender recorded another double-double - his seventh of the season - with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Vanguard was led in scoring by Alex Chapman who scored 14 points. The Warriors will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Azusa to take on the Azusa Pacific Cougars (13-2, 4-1 GSAC) in a 7:30 p.m. game.