Lions begin defense of title

The No. 2-ranked Vanguard University women’s basketball team begins defense of its NAIA Division I championship Wednesday, when it meets Berry of Georgia in the first round of the 32-team NAIA tournament at Oman Arena In Jackson, Tenn.

The Lions (29-3), who won the Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament and regular-season titles, will play at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday.

The second round is Friday at 8:45 a.m. against either Westminster of Utah or Loyola of Louisiana.

The quarterfinals are scheduled Saturday at noon, with a potential semifinal Monday at 6 p.m. The title game is scheduled Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Coach Russ Davis’ squad is paced by All-GSAC performers Lauren Gregory, Diana Neves, and Bridgette Reyes.

Gregory, a senior forward, and sophomore point guard Sarah Boyd are returning starters from the team that stunned top-ranked Union (Tennessee) in last year’s semifinals, on its way to the program’s first national crown.

Union (32-1) is again the top seed.

Junior guard Rachel Copeland leads Vanguard in scoring (15.2 points per game) and her 3.45 three-pointers per contest top the nation.

Gregory, the team’s lone senior, is averaging 14.2 points and a team-best 5.9 rebounds.

Neves is averaging 14.1 points and her 88 three-pointers rank second on the team behind Copeland’s 100.

Reyes, recovering from a bout with illness, is averaging 10.0 ppg. Reyes made just seven starts in her 30 appearances this season.

Union defeated Vanguard, 90-75, in the teams’ first meeting this season, Nov. 29 at Vanguard.

Union’s loss was Dec. 13 to in-state rival Lee.