IRVINE, Calif. -- The 48-hour turnaround for Vanguard women's basketball might have been a factor in the team's 61-49 defeat to Concordia University Irvine Thursday night.  The Lions, who shot 52.7% Tuesday, fell to a 32.8% clip tonight and were especially hampered in the middle frames, as VU shot in the 20s during the second and third quarters.  The Golden Eagles had a 34-19 edge in points in those frames and improved to 6-6 overall and 4-3 in the Pacific West Conference.  VU dropped to 9-2, 5-1.
 
 
What Happened?  Emma Schaaf had the first six points for the Lions, as she responded from nine points on Tuesday to lead VU with 12 points Thursday.  CUI took an 8-6 edge just shy of midway through the first off a pair of free throws, but Micaela Hanning rattled down a trey to swing the Blue and Gold back into the lead.  The freshman tacked on the next four Vanguard points to put the squad ahead 13-12 after 10 minutes were off the scoreboard.
 
The second interval opened with a CUI turnover, and Kaylee Byon sunk a three to vault VU ahead 15-12 just about 40 seconds into the period.  Unfortunately, that represented roughly half of the seven points the Lions scored in the quarter, as CUI pumped in an 18-5 stretch the rest of the way to lead 31-20 at halftime.  VU had a 23% shooting rate from the floor in the second, while CUI shot 53.3%.
 
Vanguard had a slightly better pace in the third period, hitting at a 26.67%, but the Golden Eagles were at a 42.8% and took the frame 14-12, leading 45-32 entering the fourth.  The Lions frantically attempted to get back into the contest, with a Jaryn Madsen layup bringing the deficit down to 50-40.  CUI scored the next three, but Byon buried a triple to put the gap at 10 again with 5:10 left.  However, that was as close as the Lions got, as CUI smartly went through the final phases to preserve their upset win at home. 
 
The Golden Eagles shot 48.9% in the contest and went 12-for-15 from the free-throw line (80%), including a 7-of-8 mark in the fourth.  VU had a 5-3 lead in converted triples on the night, as neither side was special from downtown.  Schaaf tied Halle Si'i with six rebounds for the team lead, and Byon dished out six assists.  Madsen netted 10 points and made two of her 10 shots from beyond the arc.  Asia Darcuil topped all players with 22 points for CUI.
 
Why is it Important?  It is the first defeat to CUI since the final contest between the two schools prior to CUI heading to the NCAA DII, as CUI won 88-83 on January 24, 2015.
 
 
What's Next?  The Lions have the rest of the week off, but must rest before the week-long road trip to Hawaii gets underway.  VU flies out to play all three teams and starts at Chaminade next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. PT.