Lions lose in NAIA tourney opener

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Langston 54, Vanguard 47

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Lions 10th straight trip to the NAIA Tournament came to an end in the first round Thursday at Oman Arena.

Vanguard (17-12) had not lost in the first round since 2002 and had advanced to at least the quarterfinals the last previous eight seasons, including a national championship in 2008.

The Lions shot 29.5% from the field (18 for 61) and were outrebounded, 34-24.

Seniors Molly Pfohl (15 points and eight rebounds) and Sarah Boyd (12 points and seven assists), led the way for the Lions, who received 10 points and six rebounds from Allison Burns.

Vanguard led by one point twice in the first half, but never got closer than four in the second half.

Langston, from Oklahoma, is 29-5.

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SOFTBALL

Doubleheader

COSTA MESA — Rachael Hellyer pitched a six-inning shutout in an 8-0 win over Doane of Nebraska that closed out a nonconference sweep for the host Lions on Thursday.

Vanguard (18-8) won the first game, 5-1, as Kaysle Flasck went two for three with two runs batted in to pace a five-hit attack.

Vanguard had 11 hits in the second game. Elizabeth Archer was three for three with two RBIs, Flasck was two for two and Ariana Atwater had one hit and three RBIs.

Patricia Olvera allowed one run on five hits in six innings to earn the pitching victory in Game 1.

Doane is 1-11.

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MEN’S TENNIS

Orange Coast 8, Fullerton 1

COSTA MESA — The host Pirates swept in doubles and won five of six singles sets in the Orange Empire Conference match Thursday.

Rex Miller, Jesse Chen, Trevor Dalbey and Aaron Lester won in singles and doubles for the Pirates (7-5, 4-2 in conference.

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MEN’S TENNIS

Doubleheader

COSTA MESA — Host Vanguard university topped Lewis-Clark State, 5-4, and lost to Midwestern, 8-1, in nonconference matches Thursday at Costa Mesa Tennis Center.

Vanguard is 4-8.

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WOMEN’S TENNIS

Doubleheader

COSTA MESA — Host Vanguard University defeated Lewis-Clark State, 7-2, and lost to Midwestern, 6-3, in nonconference matches Thursday at Costa Mesa Tennis Center.

Vanguard is 6-4.