Vanguard women solid in exhibition at UCLA

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

UCLA 66, Vanguard 57

LOS ANGELES — The visiting Lions were even at halftime, 27-27, and led by three late in the first half of the exhibition game on Wednesday at Pauley Pavilion.

But the Bruins built a 17-point second-half lead before cruising to the finish.

Junior Nicole Ballestero, a first-team NAIA All-American last season, led the Lions with 18 points, while sophomore Samantha Doucette added 17.

Doucette was seven for 10 from the field and one for one from three-point range.

Ashleigh Anderson, a junior community college transfer from Oregon, was three for four from the field to score nine points off the bench.

Atonye Nyingifa led the Bruins with 19 points and 16 rebounds.

Vanguard, ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, plays an exhibition at Cal on Friday at 8:30 p.m.