COSTA MESA, Calif. — Cal Lutheran's Austin Cole scored 21 points and Blake Miles added 20 more, but the Kingsmen basketball team couldn't overcome the Vanguard Lions and fell 67-63 Monday night in The Pit.
Three players scored in double-figures for the Kingsmen (1-1). Cole made six three-pointers as he scored a game-high 21 points. He added three rebounds and two assists. Miles tied his career-high as he poured in 20 points. He was a rebound shy of a double-double and tallied four assists.
Kyle Ferreira was the third in Violet and Gold to score in double-digits as he chipped-in with 16 points. He added eight rebounds and three assists.
Cal Lutheran shot 46 percent from the three-point line while Vanguard shot 3-of-25 for 12 percent. The Lions made up for it as they forced the Kingsmen into 19 turnovers and scored 26 points off those turnovers. The Vanguard bench also outscored the CLU bench 16-0.
Vanguard came out firing in the first half and took an 8-2 lead. The Kingsmen didn't back down as a three by Ferreria and a two-point jumper by Cole made it 8-7. CLU had its first lead of the game as Ferreira made 15-13 after two made free-throws. The teams went back and forth over the next few minutes and the lead changed multiple times.
Neither team could take a big lead or get any momentum going as the other team always had an answer. Cal Lutheran and Vanguard combined for 14 ties/lead changes throughout the first half. During that time, Miles and KJ Moffett both scored to give the Kingsmen a lead, before the Lions eventually bounced back. With the score tied at 27, The Lions used an 8-3 run over the last few minutes and had a 35-30 lead at the break.
The Lions came out and scored the first points of the second half. Miles made his first three of the game as the Kingsmen trailed 37-33. CLU continued to chip away at the deficit as Miles scored three straight baskets and the Kingsmen trailed 41-40. Ferreria gave CLU its first lead of the second half as he made a free-throw to make it 42-41. With nine minutes left, Moffett tipped in a rebound, Cole hit a three on the ensuing possession and Cal Lutheran had a 51-45 lead. It forced Vanguard to call a timeout.
Right after the timeout, Cole hit another three-pointer, his fifth of the night, and the Kingsmen were up 54-45. It was the biggest lead of the night for CLU. Vanguard didn't go away as the Lions brought the lead back to one. It was 54-53 with 5:30 left in the game. Vanguard's Jadan Anderson gave his team the lead as he banked in a three with 3:30 left. It continued to go Vanguard's way for the rest of the game as the Lions walked away with a competitive 67-63 win.
The Lions were led by Capri Uzan who scored 15 points. Jamaal Lee had a game-high 14 rebounds. Uzan and Sam Saufferer each had three assists.
The Kingsmen return home for their next game and host George Fox (Ore.) Monday the 27, at 4 p.m. in Gilbert Arena.
Box Score: VU 67, CLU 63
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director
