PLNU snaps Vanguard’s 53-game GSAC win streak

Colleen Planeta put up a career-high 22 points for PLNU Tuesday night in Golden Gymnasium against NAIA No. 3 Vanguard University, leading the No. 7 Sea Lions to an 86-65 victory.

The game marked the end of a 53-game regular-season winning streak in Golden State Athletic Conference play for VU. The Vanguard Lions’ last regular-season GSAC loss was to PLNU on Feb. 8, 2005.
Planeta’s high-scoring game came after she was named GSAC’s Player of the Week on Monday for scoring 30 total points, grabbing 17 rebounds, blocking 12 shots in conference wins against Concordia and Westmont last Tuesday and Saturday.

“I feel like I’m getting more aggressive offensively,” she said after the game.

The decisive victory is indicative of the team’s momentum, as PLNU has won its last seven tilts.

“It’s was a big game,” Planeta said. “We are doing well. We have a lot of depth this year.”

Vanguard led for less than three minutes Tuesday. Planeta tied the contest with a layup to make the score 8-8. Other than a 13-13 tie with 15:08 on the clock, PLNU would lead for the remainder of the game.

The Sea Lions entered the break leading 44-31. The team didn’t relent in the second half, adding another 42 points to its commanding lead to glide into the 21-point win.

PLNU penetrated VU’s defense for layups all evening, resulting in a 56.5 percentage (39-69) from the field. When the Sea Lions did attempt a three-pointer, they succeeded 50 percent of the time (6-12). Another key to the win was PLNU’s 51 to 29 rebound margin.

While the win was well earned, the visiting Lions, who usually shoot exceptionally, had an off night, hitting just 33.3 percent from the field. In addition, VU was successful on just 6-32 from beyond the arc.

“We didn’t compete,” the Lions’ head coach Russ Davis said to the Daily Pilot. “They beat us to just about every loose ball. We got down, early, when our shots wouldn’t fall and we just pressed. We lost our poise and composure for the first time all year. We just weren’t ready, bottom line. [PLNU] outplayed us and out-coached us.”

The PLNU coaching staff was pleased with the team’s performance.
“The most impressive thing about the game was that when they tried to make a run at us we actually expanded our lead,” said assistant coach Alan Nakamura. “The big picture is that we need to keep building on that win. That shouldn’t be the pinnacle of our season.”

Five Sea Lion women had point totals in the double digits. In addition to Planeta’s 22 points, Amanda Franz had 13, Kati Hilbelink had 11, Kerra Sutton-Wodarski had 10 and Liah Ector had 10.

The Lions, in contrast, had two players who shot for double digits; Lauren Gregory had 20 points, and Melissa Cook tallied 15 points.  
PLNU rebounded aggressively, as Angela Manjarrez grabbed eight boards, and Ector and Planeta each grabbed seven.

The Sea Lions defeated Fresno Pacific University 76-47 Saturday night and are now 14-2 on the season and 8-1 in GSAC, placing them in a three-way tie for first place with Vanguard and Azusa Pacific in the GSAC.