SIOUX CITY, IA – The 2024-25 LC State Women’s Basketball season came to an end on Saturday with an NAIA Second Round loss to No. 5 Briar Cliff (Iowa). After falling behind early, the Warrior women rallied to take the lead at halftime, but the Chargers gained momentum in the final quarter to defeat LC State 71-60.
Ellie Sander led the contest with 17 points in her final game and Mataya Green grabbed a game-high eight rebounds to close out her time as a Warrior.
“Unfortunately, today we weren’t the Warrior team I know we are,” coach Caelyn Orlandi said. “We turned the ball over way too much and, at this time in the season, those turnovers cost us a game. Our defense was good enough to win it, but when you turn it over against a team like that, they turn it into two or three points on the other end of the court. Briar Cliff is an excellent team with excellent shooters, and we went up against the No. 5 team in the nation with no fear.”
LC State ends its season with a record of 26-7.
“I never question our work ethic, and our team always gives 100 percent effort,” Orlandi added. “I wish things would have turned out differently for us, but regardless, I am proud of this team and proud to be the coach of every single one of them. 26 wins in a season is nothing to be ashamed of and I can’t thank all my players enough for a very fun and rewarding season.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Briar Cliff struck first with a 3-pointer and Darian Herring scored the first Warrior basket of the contest at 7:05. The Chargers rallied for five straight to grow the margin to 8-2. The Warriors were held off the board for nearly four minutes before Green fought her way to the basket to make it 8-4. Briar Cliff led 13-4 after 10 minutes.
Grace Beardin opened the second quarter with two free throws before she hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 14-9 after two minutes. Lindsey Wilson and Tatum Brager kept the score close and another triple by Beardin had the Warriors within four, 20-16, at 5:35. Wilson kept the momentum up with a pair of buckets to tie the contest 20-20 as a back-and-forth ensued.
Free throws by Payton Hymas and a basket by Camden Barger put the Warriors in front 25-24 in the final two minutes of the frame. Free throws by Sander and a 3 by Sitara Byrd ended the first half with LC State ahead 30-26.
The Chargers scored first in the third quarter, but free throws by Hymas pushed the lead back to four points in the first minute. A basket by Green and free throws by Hymas had the advantage at six points, 36-30, at 6:13. Briar Cliff answered with a 3-pointer but Sander responded with a basket of her own for a 38-33 lead midway through the quarter.
Sander answered a Charger basket with a triple and both teams were held off the board for more than three minutes before five straight points for Briar Cliff had the Chargers back within one, 41-40, with a minute to play. The host school took the lead but a buzzer-beater basket by Wilson had LC State in front 43-42 with 10 minutes to play.
Foul shots for BCU sparked a back-and-forth as an and-1 by Sander had the score knotted 46-46. Briar Cliff pulled ahead by five, 51-49, but a triple by Sander kept the difference small. Green tied the game once more with 7:27 to play.
The Chargers gained momentum as the quarter played on. Despite baskets by Hymas, Byrd and Sander, Briar Cliff outlasted the Warriors to end LC State’s season.
STAT RECAP
Sander led the contest with 17 points and Green led with eight rebounds in the final game of their careers. Hymas dished out five assists, Byrd grabbed four steals and Sander blocked two shots.
LC State shot 50% from the field and went 7-for-7 from the free throw line. The Warriors held Briar Cliff to 42.9% shooting from the field. Turnovers were the difference maker in the contest.
“A big thank you to our three seniors,” Orlandi said. “Tessa Karlberg, you were everything we needed in a leader, and we were so lucky to have you for this season. Mataya Green, your relentless energy and ability to make things happen on the court is going to be greatly missed. Ellie Sander, you set the bar so very high for who we want to recruit in the guard position and your athleticism is truly something special. All three of you left Warrior Basketball better then you found it and I can’t thank you enough for all the hours you have given to me and this program.
“Another thank you to all of our fans who have supported this team this season and to our athletic department, campus and president for all their support,” Orlandi said.