Lions win

Vanguard University women’s basketball coach Russ Davis has tabbed

his squad, a team of destiny, and the Lions proved such Saturday

night.

Senior Robbin Dittenbir scored on a layup with eight seconds left

to cap a thrilling comeback that led Vanguard to a 61-60 quarterfinal

victory over Oklahoma Christian in the NAIA Division I National

Tournament at Oman Arena.

The Lions, who outscored the Eagles 17-2 in the final 5:58,

advance to the Final Four for the first time in their history.

Vanguard (28-9), the No. 2 seed in the fourth-quarter bracket, will

face Southern Nazarene (27-9), the No. 2 seed of the third-quarter

bracket, Monday at 8 p.m. CST.

“I have never seen anything like that in my life,” Davis said in a

telephone interview. “The Final Four, I can’t believe it. We just

willed our way to the win.”

Sophomore guard Jennifer Wilcox led the Lions, the Golden State

Athletic Conference regular-season champions, with 12 points, while Dittenbir contributed 11 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Lacey Mills, Vanguard’s sophomore point guard, keyed the Lions’

comeback with back-to-back three-pointers inside the final two

minutes to cut the Eagles lead to 60-57. After Oklahoma Christian

failed to score on its next possession, Vanguard senior guard Jessica

Lenderman was fouled and hit both free throws with 23 seconds left.

Oklahoma Christian junior guard Eden Wiens then missed the front

end of a one-and-one free-throw opportunity, and Dittenbir grabbed

the rebound with 27 seconds left, setting up the Lions’ pivotal

possession.

Vanguard, ranked No. 7 in the NAIA, called a timeout with 20

seconds remaining. Davis said the Lions ran a half-court set play

that led to Dittenbir’s uncontested layup.

The Eagles (21-12) had one last chance to pull out the victory but

committed a turnover without getting off a shot.

“(The Lions) have unbelievable heart,” Davis said. “This was a

great game. We got down by 10, went on a huge run and got up by 11.

Then they came back and went up by 14 (with 5:58 left). It was a game

of runs and we made the last one.”

Senior guard Kimya Murray led Oklahoma Christian with 21 points

and freshman guard Lauren Decker added 19. The Eagles opened the

second half with a 10-3 run in the first four minutes to for a 36-36

tie. Oklahoma Christian then built its lead to 58-44, only to watch

the Lions advance on the strength of their late-game heroics

Vanguard connected on 20 of 51 from the field (39.2%), including 9

for 23 from three-point range (39.1%). The Lions were 12 of 16 from

the free-throw line (75%). Oklahoma Christian shot 26 of 63 from the

field (41.3%), 7 of 15 from threedom (46.7%) and 1 for 3 from the foul line.