COSTA MESA, Calif. – The Texas Wesleyan University Women's Basketball team (5-6) pushed No. 1 Vanguard University Lions (11-0) into overtime, but were outscored 10-4 in the extra five minutes in an 83-77 thriller.
 
Texas Wesleyan erased a 13-point, first half deficit by outscoring the Lions 46-33 in the second half.
 
The Rams chopped the VU lead to six midway through the third quarter on a 7-0 rally capped on a Lexi Burns triple. Vanguard dug in its heels for the rest of the quarter, holding a 58-51 lead heading into the fourth.
 
The Lions ran the score back up to 11 before another Burns three-pointer sparked an electrifying 13-2 run to even the game at 64 apiece with three and a half minutes to go in regulation. Victoria Chea gave VU 73-70 edge before Burns and the Lady Rams would answer again, putting in another shot from behind the arc with seven seconds left to send the game to OT.
 
Fueled by the home crowd, the Lions went on a 6-0 rally to start the overtime period. Jordan Brightwell rattled in a put-back to make it a two-point game, but Vanguard held on to escape TXWES with an 83-77 win.
 
Burns led the team in scoring for the second straight contest, going 5 of 7 from downtown on the way to 17 points. Nicole Gleason added 14 points and led the Lady Rams with seven rebounds.  Brightwell had 15 in the effort, while Chrystal Ngawuchu tacked on 13.
 
The Lady Rams outshot the Lions in all three shooting categories, including going 8 for 21 (38.1 percent) from long range. Vangaurd won the rebound battle however, 49-36.
 
The Lady Rams will stay in the Golden State and take on Hope International tomorrow, Tuesday, December 18. That game set for a 2:00 p.m. tip-off.