Lions’ season ended

A home-court advantage and, perhaps, fatigue proved too much to

overcome for the Vanguard University women’s basketball team in the

quarterfinals of the NAIA tournament Saturday in Jackson, Tenn.

The Lions (32-4), who set a school single-season victory record

with a second-round win Friday night, fell to Union University,

87-72, at the Bulldogs’ own Oman Arena.

It was Vanguard’s second loss this season to Union, which defeated

the Lions, then ranked No. 1 in the nation, 64-54, in a Nov. 19

tournament game, also at Oman Arena.

Vanguard All-Americans Kelly Schmidt and Lisa Faulkner averaged

more than 39 minutes per game in contests Wednesday, Friday and

Saturday. Vanguard starters Lacey Mills and Lacey Burns averaged 38

and 36 minutes, respectively, in the tournament.

Schmidt, a sophomore forward, had a game-high 26 points and added

eight rebounds.

Faulkner, a senior point guard, had 10 points and 12 assists.

Sophomore Rachel Besse had 19 points and 13 boards for the Lions,

who were also eliminated in the quarterfinals a year ago.

Vanguard reached the semifinals in 2002-03.

Vanguard shot 50% from the field and outrebounded the Bulldogs,

16-14, in the first half, but still trailed, 51-37, as Union hit 20

of 35 field-goal tries (57.1%), including 8 of 19 from three-point

range.

NAIA tournament

Quarterfinal

Union 87, Vanguard 72

Union -- Clark 17, Eason 3, Daniels 21, Henson 3, Richardson 6,

Fisher 15, Elliot 11, York 11.

3-pt. goals -- Daniels 4, Fisher 3, York 3, Richardson 2, Eason 1.

Vanguard -- Schmidt 26, Burns 6, Besse 19, Faulkner 10, Mills 9,

Jacobson 2.

3-pt. goals -- Mills 3, Faulkner 2.

Technicals -- Coach Davis 1.

Halftime -- Union, 51-37.