Concordia reaches NAIA semifinals

Concordia made a tournament-high 13 three-point baskets on its way to an 88-68 victory over Union University in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Division I men’s tournament Saturday at Kansas City, Mo.

The fourth-seeded Eagles (30-6), who earned their third trip to the semifinals in five years -- they won the title in 2003 -- will play top-seeded Robert Morris (32-0) on Monday.

Concordia, of Irvine, received plenty of support from its bench, which accounted for 53 points. Junior guard Keith Lawrence led the way with 18 points.

Union (25-10) moved to within 58-47 on a basket by Mike Bealim with 11:19 left, but the Eagles scored the next seven points and pulled away.

Oklahoma City 84, Azusa Pacific 68 -- The second-seeded Stars (33-2) scored 58 second-half points to eliminate the 10th-seeded Cougars (29-7). The Stars shot 57.6% in the second half and held the Cougars to 26.5% shooting.

After taking a 39-26 lead at the half, Azusa Pacific extended its margin to 16 points on three occasions early in the second half, the last coming at 50-34 on Scott Zea’s basket with 16:39 left.

Oklahoma City used a 19-3 run to take a 62-56 lead with 7:28 left. During the run, the Stars held Azusa Pacific to one basket over a five-minute span. The Cougars got to within three points before an 11-2 run gave Oklahoma City a 77-65 lead.

WOMEN

Vanguard 82, Trevecca Nazarene 56 -- The top-seeded Lions (31-0) advanced to the semifinals of the NAIA Division I tournament at Jackson, Tenn., by routing the second-seeded Trojans (27-7).

Jessica Richter scored a tournament-high 32 points, making seven of 12 three-point attempts, to lead Vanguard, of Costa Mesa, into the semifinals for the third time in program history.