Costa Mesa, CA- A slow start and a couple tough breaks proved to be too much for the Firestorm to overcome on Saturday night in the always hostile arena "The Pit". Despite overcoming a seventeen-point deficit in the second half, the Firestorm's potential game-winner rolled out and Vanguard escaped with a 65-64 win. 

Unlike Thursday night, the Firestorm (12-5, 0-5 GSAC) got off to a slow start on the road and found themselves trailing for most of the first half. The Lions (14-4, 4-1 GSAC) jumped out to a 16-6 lead before the Firestorm began finding some consistency on offense, and for most of the first half seemed to have an answer for anything the Firestorm tried. A jumper by Brandon Hood gave the Lions their largest lead of the game (17), but a couple quick three pointers by Junior Guard Al Brown, helped keep the Firestorm hanging around. The half ended with the Firestorm trailing by 10, after giving up a last second layup to Kwinn Hanson.

The second half saw the Lions stretch their lead to back out to 14, but a crucial rebound and ensuing free throws from Junior Guard Andy Sessions helped get the Firestorm rolling. Over the course of the next eight minutes of play, the Firestorm appeared to have finally found an answer to the chaotic Lion offensive attack. Behind a balanced effort from many different Firestorm players, The Firestorm put together a 19-5 run that gave them their first lead of the game on a Chris Sterling lay-up. From there, the final four minutes became a see-saw battle that came down to the final seconds of play. A couple of brilliant plays by Senior Guard Shy McClelland, who led the Firestorm in scoring with 13 points, and some strong rebounding from Sterling found the Firestorm with a chance to win in the final minute. A free throw from Junior Forward Omari Lewis gave the Firestorm the lead with 36 seconds left. After a strong defensive stand, The Firestorm appeared to have a secured a crucial late game stop with a 64-63 lead, but a bad bounce allowed the Lion's Zach Allmon to tip in what was ultimately the game winning points. The Firestorm had one more chance to win the game, but a Matt Willkomm layup rolled out and hit the floor.

The Firestorm will look to regroup against the #3 Biola University Eagles on Tuesday night (7:30 pm MST) in Fultz Memorial Gymnasium