COSTA MESA, CA --- A seven-point Concordia lead slipped away in the game's final six minutes, as the NAIA's No. 2-ranked Vanguard came back to earn a 67-62 victory over the Eagles in Golden State Athletic Conference play.

Concordia drops its sixth game in a row and falls to 12-14, including 5-13 in GSAC play, while the Lions move to 24-3, 17-1 GSAC.

Despite a disappointing showing in the conference season, it was Concordia's second closely fought contest with Vanguard, after the Lions beat the Eagles by a 73-68 tally Jan. 20.

Kayanna Nichols scored a game-high 20 points and hit four three-pointers and Priscilla Angeloni netted 15 points and came down with nine rebounds in the loss.

The Eagles took a 37-33 lead into halftime, but 20 Concordia fouls led to 21 made free-throws from the Lions, who made 78 percent (21-for-27) from the charity stripe.

Vanguard's Sarah Boyd scored 19 points, including four points in an 8-0 rally that turned a 59-52 Concordia lead into a 60-59 Vanguard advantage with 3:21 left in the game.

Angeloni then hit a jumper to put Concordia ahead, 61-60, but the Lions regained the lead for good on a field goal by Lauren Gregory that made the score 62-61 with 2:49 remaining on the clock.

Angeloni's 1-for-2 showing at the free-throw line with 2:08 left was the last time Concordia scored, as Boyd iced the game with a pair of free-throws in the game's final 13 seconds.

Concordia next hosts Fresno Pacific Saturday (Feb. 28) in the final regular-season home game of GSAC play starting at 5:30 p.m. at CU Arena.