Lions caught in ‘Union gap’

COSTA MESA — Though their coaches are the best of friends and the rosters and rooters of both perennial NAIA women’s basketball powers maintain a genuine mutual respect, the nonconference battle between top-ranked Union University and No. 2-ranked Vanguard hinged on a divisive dilemma Saturday at The Pit.

For just as is in debating political issues, paper or plastic, even the chronology of the chicken and the egg, defending the balanced Bulldogs requires taking one side or the other. Choosing both just won’t work.

Collapse inside to try to swarm 6-foot-4 Josephine Owina, the returning NAIA Player of the Year, and you create a “Union gap” between the paint and Coach Mark Campbell’s dangerous collection of three-point shooters.

Conversely, any extended defensive deployment on the perimeter can leave the rangy, quick and aggressive Owina ample time and space with which to work her mismatch magic.

“That’s why they’re so good,” said Vanguard Coach Russ Davis, whose Lions struggled on both defensive fronts in a 90-75 loss.

“I thought we played hard, we just didn’t play smart,” Davis said. “We left too many people open, but what are you going to do?”

Union (11-0) made seven three-pointers in each half, missing just three attempts from beyond the arc in the final 20 minutes, to finish 53.8% from threedom.

Owina, meanwhile, collected a game-high 28 points and nine rebounds, converting 12 of 16 field-goal attempts, all no farther from the basket than the width of her expansive wingspan.

Even worse for the defending NAIA Division I national champions, who upset then-top-seeded and unbeaten Union, 74-72, in the semifinals of the 2008 NAIA Tournament in the Bulldogs’ hometown of Jackson, the Lions experienced similar frustration on the offensive end.

Vanguard (5-1) made just four of its first 21 field-goal tries (19%) and sank just five of its final 23 shots from the field (21.8%) to render a prolonged hot streak that spanned the middle of the contest — 18 of 25 from the field (72%) between the early and late shooting slumps — moot.

“We got 69 shots, but that doesn’t help you if you shoot [39.1%] for the game,” said Davis, whose team committed only four of the game’s 15 turnovers.

Owina contributed six points in an 8-0 run that gave Union a 22-10 lead with 6:46 remaining in the first half. And, after Union guard Kayla Hudson later accounted for all nine of her team’s points in a 79-second span, all on three-pointers, the Bulldogs had the better of a 33-23 margin.

But attacking the basket with success, while also finding its outside shooting eye allowed Vanguard to close the half on a 15-5 run, capped by Diana Neves’ steal and layup to beat the buzzer, and pull even at intermission.

Both teams came out hot after the break, as Union made eight of its first nine field-goal tries and Vanguard converted six of its first eight, including four three-pointers.

But while Union’s accuracy dropped off only slightly, a span of 11:58 elapsed with only two Vanguard field goals, by which time the visitors had built an 85-68 cushion.

Neves had 23 points and fellow junior guard Rachel Copeland added 22 for Vanguard, including five and four three-pointers, respectively.

Lauren Gregory had 10 rebounds and Sarah Boyd chipped in nine assists for the hosts.

Union had five double-figure scorers and a 41-33 rebounding edge.

Nonconference

Union 90, Vanguard 75

UU – Owina 28, Dudley 17, Ross 13, Hudson 12, Jacobs 11, Lillard 5, Ray 3, Chan 1.

3-pt. goals – Hudson 4, Dudley 3, Jacobs 3, Ross 3, Ray 1.

VU – Copeland 22, Gregory 4, Neves 23, Blied 6, Boyd 2, Pfohl 6, Reyes 5, Halberg 2, Carlson 2, Sterling 2, Johnson 1.

3-pt. goals – Neves 5, Copeland 4, Blied 1.

Fouled out – Johnson.

Halftime – 38-38.