Lions open with Cumberlands

The Vanguard University women’s basketball team will open its ninth appearance in the NAIA Division I Tournament Thursday against Cumberlands of Kentucky in the first round at 2:30 PST in Oman Arena in Jackson, Tenn.

The Lions (24-5), ranked No. 4 in the final Division I poll, enter the tournament as an at-large entry, after No. 3-ranked Point Loma Nazarene ended their streak of Golden State Athletic Conference regular-season titles at five. Point Loma swept the Lions in three games this season, including the GSAC Tournament final on Monday.

Vanguard was ranked No. 1 going into the last two NAIA tournaments, but lost in the semifinals each time.

Coach Russ Davis’ Lions renew their rivalry with Cumberlands (23-8), which they defeated, 80-74, in the second round in 2006.

Should Vanguard win, it would meet either defending champion Lambuth of Tennessee (23-9), ranked No. 11, or Xavier of Louisiana (27-6) in the second round Friday at 2:30.

Should Vanguard advance to the quarterfinals Saturday at 2 p.m., it would likely mean a clash with Oklahoma City (28-4), the No. 4 overall seed which was ranked fifth in the final poll.

If Vanguard were to reach the semifinals, Monday at 6 p.m., it would likely face top-seeded Union of Tennessee (32-0).

Lee of Tennessee (31-2) is the No. 2 overall seed, while Point Loma Nazarene (28-2) is the No. 3 seed.

Vanguard defeated Lambuth, 80-74, at the Rotary Classic, Nov. 15 in Jackson. The Lions were defeated, 98-92, by Lee in a tournament in Hawaii on Dec. 30.

The Lions are led by senior Jessica Richter, the reigning NAIA Player of the Year who has twice been GSAC Player of the Year. She is averaging 19.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.3 assists.

Senior Melissa Cook chips in 15.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest.

Junior Lauren Gregory contributes as well, averaging 12.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for Vanguard.

— Barry Faulkner