Vanguard grounds the Eagles

Richter scores 28 for top-ranked Lions in conference matchup.IRVINE -- The margins get smaller, but the wins keep on coming.

Vanguard University’s women’s basketball team extended its unbeaten streak to 20 games with a 74-64 victory over Concordia University on Saturday night. Jessica Richter scored a game-high 28 points for the Lions, ranked No. 1 in NAIA Division I, in a Golden State Athletic Conference contest.

After taking a 12-point halftime lead, the Lions (20-0, 13-0 in conference) had to hold off a pair of charges by Concordia in the second half. Tristan Ryan’s three-pointer with 15:45 remaining cut Vanguard’s lead to seven points before the Lions went on a 9-0 run. The Eagles got as close as seven points with 2:02 remaining, but Vanguard was able to extend its lead at the free throw line.

The Lions made 22 of 26 at the line, including 6 of 8 in the final two minutes. Kelly Schmidt went 11-for-12 from the free throw line to lead Vanguard.

Richter’s 28-point performance was her highest scoring output since tallying 36 in a victory against Cal Baptist on Jan. 19. The sophomore guard hadn’t crossed the 20-point plateau since then. She also had four rebounds and three steals.

Schmidt and Rachel Besse each finished with double-doubles for Vanguard. Schmidt had 17 points and 10 rebounds, despite missing 7 of 10 from the field. Besse ended up with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Tiari Goold had another solid night distributing the ball. The point guard had nine points, five rebounds and nine assists.

Concordia (13-9, 8-5) was led by Savanna Anderson with 16 points. Ryan added 14 points, six rebounds and five assists. Former Orange Coast College player Lauren Stepanski went scoreless in 11 minutes of action.

The Lions will have a pair of tough conference games in the week ahead, playing host to No. 18 Point Loma Nazarene on Tuesday before traveling to No. 12 The Master’s on Saturday.

Golden State Athletic

Conference

Vanguard 74,

Concordia 64

Score by Halves