Vanguard fells Oregon, 64-60

EUGENE, Ore. — Junior guard Jessica Richter scored 30 points to lead the Vanguard University women’s basketball team to a 64-60 exhibition victory over the Univeristy of Oregon Monday night in front of 2,651 at McArthur Court.

Richter made 10 of 19 field-goal attempts, including three of six from three-point range, and was seven of 12 from the free-throw line to propel the top-ranked team in NAIA Division I to a surprising win over the Pac-10 squad.

Vanguard senior Kelly Schmidt added 19 points, including seven of seven from the foul line, to help the Lions prevail.

Vanguard led, 27-26, at halftime, after a first half that featured four lead changes and four ties.

Oregon pulled ahead, 41-35, but a Richter layup with 5:59 left put the Lions ahead for good, 52-50.

Two Schmidt free throws with 32 seconds left gave Vanguard a 60-56 edge and last year’s NAIA Player of the Year sank two more from the line with 24 seconds left to make it 62-58.

Richter made a free throw with five seconds left to finalize the scoring.

It’s the Lions’ first win in three exhibitions against NCAA Division I opponents this season. They lost, 82-43, at New Mexico on Nov. 2 and were drubbed, 94-49, at Arizona State on Nov. 6.

The Lions, 31-2 a year ago, received seven rebounds and four points from senior center Rachel Besse, while senior point guard Tiari Goold chipped in seven assists and four points.

Vanguard, which opened its regular-season with a 95-42 win over Holy Names on Saturday, begins the three-game Rotary Classic at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., site of the NAIA Tournament, on Thursday against Lambuth (Tenn.).

Exhibition

Vanguard 64, Oregon 60

Vanguard -- Schmidt 19, Burns 0, Besse 4, Richter 30, Goold 4, Jacobson 4, Butler 3.

3-pt. goals -- Richter 3, Butler 1.

Fouled out -- None.

Oregon -- Haring 14, Chapdelaine 5, Shetters 5, Nurse 8, Oaks 8, Hawkins 8, Cocks 5, Lilley 5, Ganes 2.

3-pt. goals -- Lilley 1, Cocks 1, Nurse 1, Chapdelaine 1, Oaks 1.

Fouled out -- Haring.

Halftime -- 27-26, VU.