Lions make history

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Vanguard University men’s basketball team made history on two fronts Friday by defeating Benedictine of Kansas, 81-70, in the second round of the NAIA Tournament at Municipal Arena.

Junior DeAngelo Jones had 25 points and senior Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year Preston Wynne added 20 to help the No. 6-seeded Lions (29-6) advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals. Vanguard, which set a school record for wins with 29 and had never before advanced past the second round, will face defending national champion Georgetown of Kentucky (24-10) at 2 p.m. PT.

Georgetown overcame a 19-point first-half deficit to upset No. 3-seeded William Carey, 98-90, in another second-round game Friday.

Jones made four of seven field-goal attempts, including two of four from three-point range. He was 15 for 18 from the free-throw line and added four rebounds.

Junior Keith Mason had 11 points and eight rebounds and junior guard Chris Gorman had 11 points for the winners, who have now won six in a row and eight of their last 10.

Freshman Zach Allmon chipped in 10 rebounds and four points off the bench as Vanguard won the rebounding battle, 40-36, and committed just six turnovers, half as many as Benedictine (23-9).

Vanguard led, 31-19, at halftime and never trailed after intermission.

Georgetown was down, 47-41, at halftime and outscored William Carey, 57-43, in the final 20 minutes to advance.

— From staff reports