ROCKLIN, Calif. – Vanguard whittled a 10-point second half deficit down to as little as two, but could not complete the comeback in a 68-64 women's basketball loss to William Jessup on Saturday.
Gabriela Rosas (SR/Chihuahua, Mexico) led a quartet of Lion double-digit scorers with 16 points. She added eight rebounds and six assists.
Melissa Akullu (SO/Kampala, Uganda) collected 13 points and 10 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season.
Estefania Giner (JR/Chihuahua, Mexico) also tallied 13 points and Airiana Madanski (SO/Gilbert, AZ) had 12 as the Lions fell to 8-9 overall and 4-8 in the Golden State Athletic Conference.
William Jessup, which improved to 13-12 and 8-5 in league play, received a team-high 14 points off the bench from Kayla Vieira.
The Warriors shot 50.9 percent (29-of-57) for the game, while the Lions hit 45.5 percent (25-of-55) from the field.
William Jessup scored 17 points off of 14 Vanguard turnovers.
What Happened?: The Lions trailed 40-34 at halftime. Madanski made one of two free throws to trim the deficit to 44-43, but William Jessup scored 10 of the next 13 points to finish out the third quarter.
Vanguard managed to hold the Warriors to just two baskets over the first five and a half minutes of the fourth quarter, cutting their lead to four at 58-54 on an Akullu layup.
Vieira got loose for a layup to increase the lead to six, 62-56, with 2:46 to go. However, Rosas scored the next four for VU, her two free throws making it 62-60 with 1:50 remaining.
Joelyn Stirton drained a crucial three for Jessup with 1:24 on the clock for a 65-60 lead. Giner responded with a jumper to cut the lead back to three.
After Cheyenne Jankulovski made one-of-two free throws, the Lions called timeout. Giner's three-point attempt missed and the Warriors corralled the rebound.
VU fouled Maila Lepolo and she hit the second of two free throws to make the score 67-62.
Akullu got inside for a layup to lower the lead to three, but Stirton's hit one of two free throws for the final margin of victory.
Why Is It Important?: It is the third GSAC loss for the Lions by five points or less.
What Was Said?: "We did better offensively today," said Head Coach Russ Davis. "Costly turnovers hurt us along with not being able to get stops defensively. Hard to win if a team shoots over 50 percent for the game against you. We will keep on working on getting better."
What's Next?: The Lions return to The Pit to welcome the Arizona schools next week. First up is a tilt with Arizona Christian on Thursday, February 3 at 5:30 p.m.
