Box Score
The Warriors'
Cory Blau and
Sean McDonnell each put up 24 points as #14 Westmont Men's Basketball (7-2, 1-0 GSAC) opened Golden State Athletic Conference play on Tuesday night with an 89-80 win over #21 Vanguard (7-1, 0-1).
McDonnell pulled down18 rebounds – the most by a Warrior since Evan Haines pulled down as many against Vanguard on February 27, 2010. McDonnell went seven of 10 from the floor and made 10 of 10 from the charity stripe.
"I thought Sean McDonnell was special all game long, but particularly in the first half," noted Westmont head coach John Moore. "He put us on his back and carried us."
Blau came into the game leading the NAIA in three-point field goal percentage, averaging .659 from long distance (27 of 41). But the junior showed his versatility by scoring 21 of his points from within the arc. Blau, who had four first half points, accounted for 14 of the Warriors' 17 final points.
"Cory picked the right shots to take," said Moore. "I thought he played with incredible concentration, focus and poise. His scoring started with a very nice pass in the second half. An unselfish play led to him scoring time and time again."
The game was close throughout with neither team achieving a ten-point advantage. Vanguard took a 12-10 lead on a layup by Zach Allmon with just over 14 minutes to play in the opening frame. They retained the lead for the next 12 minutes when two free throws by Sean Harmen (5 points) made it a 37-37. By intermission, the Lions had produced a 45-41 advantage.
Three and one-half minutes into the second half, a layup by McDonnell gave Westmont its first lead in 20 minutes. The lead changed hands three more times before an old-fashion three with a twist put Westmont up 63-61. Samuel Bentz (8 points) was fouled in the act of shooting and awarded two free throws. After making the first, he missed the second but snagged the rebound and scored on the put-back.
While the score remained close, the Warriors never trailed again.
Vanguard appeared to come into the game determined to take away the Warriors' high-octane perimeter offense. That had its effect until Westmont started having success inside.
"We got 42 points off of layups," noted Moore of his team's performance. I don't think I've ever had a team that got 42 points off of layups. I think (Vanguard) decided that they were going to force us to score at the basket. We were able to do that. Our fast break was very good in the first half. In the second half, we scored off of attacking the rim and put-backs. We were getting crushed on the boards in the first half. In the second half, I thought we turned the tables in the other direction.
"I thought that was one of the best games Brit Williams has played in a long time," assessed the coach. "Hayden Anderson was the unsung hero. He made a defensive play on the sideline that gave us the possession back at a key moment. He also had some rebound tips to his teammates, steals and great focus on the defensive end."
Westmont continues GSAC play by traveling to Fullerton on Saturday to take on #10 Hope International (7-1, 0-0 GSAC). The Warriors and Royals last met in the NAIA National Championship semifinals, where Westmont prevailed 70-69 to advance to the NAIA championship game.
