Box Score JACKSON, Tenn. – The Westminster women's basketball team saw their season come to an end with an 80-71 loss to defending national champion Vanguard on Friday morning. Westminster played Vanguard tough and held a 33-32 lead at the intermission. The opened the lead to 44-41 with 12:35 to play, but Vanguard went on a 29-10 run over the next eight minutes. The Griffins kept fighting and cut the lead to seven with 27 second left but couldn't complete the comeback.

“The kids were warriors today,” Head Coach JD Gustin said. “They played their hearts out and represented Westminster College well.”

Westminster had five players reach double figures in the game led by Elisa Leader's 17. She shot just 4-of-13 from the field with all four coming from beyond the arc. Westminster connected on nine 3-pointers in the contest to help overcome the 34.4% shooting. Alexis Tucker added 16 points and five rebounds, helping the squad to a 37-32 rebounding advantage.

“We go shots today we just didn't make enough,” Gustin commented. “Vanguard made a few more plays today and that was the difference.”

Shannon Evans finished with 12 points, eight assists, and four steals before fouling out with 2:51 to play. Michelle Pace added 11 points and seven rebounds. Dani Evans scored 13 of the team's 15 bench points.

Lauren Gregory paced Vanguard with her 23 points and 11 rebounds. Bridgette Reyes and Rachel Copeland had 14 points each.

Westminster concluded the season with a 27-7 record and a second trip to the NAIA National Championship second round. They went 14-0 in the Frontier Conference, winning the conference for the first time in school history.