(Lewiston, ID) LC State Women’s Basketball suffered its second straight loss to close out 2024. The College of Idaho Yotes shot 50% from 3-point range to edge the No. 13 Warriors 58-56 in the final seconds in the P1FCU Activity Center.
The loss drops the Warriors to 10-2 on the season and 4-2 in Cascade Conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The teams played an even first frame that sat at 12-12 after 10 minutes. Mataya Green scored the first Warrior basket and Ellie Sander gave LC State a momentary 4-3 lead at 5:02. Tallies by Sander, Green and Sitara Byrd matched C of I baskets to keep things even.
The Yotes gained momentum in the second quarter to pull ahead. Five straight points by Tatum Brager had things knotted 17-17 at 7:52 and Lindsey Wilson put LC State in front 19-17 at 7:14. C of I rallied to surge ahead 28-19 by 4:27. Despite free throws by Byrd and a layup by Darian Herring, the Warriors trailed 32-25 at the break.
LC State started the third frame with the hot hand after baskets by Herring, Camden Barger and Green tied the score 32-32 at 6:13. C of I responded with eight straight points to take a 40-32 lead by 4:01 as 3-pointers from Brager and Kendall Wallace kept the game within reach. A layup by Herring had the deficit at 47-42 heading into the final 10 minutes.
Back-to-back baskets by Green and Sander had LC within one before a layup by Green and jumper by Byrd put the Warriors in front 51-49 with 3:28 to play. The teams matched baskets with LC State in front 56-55 with 46 seconds on the clock, but a layup with 12 seconds left sealed the win for the Yotes.
STAT RECAP
Herring led the Warriors with 14 points and Green scored 12 on a 5-for-6 performance from the field. Byrd, Green and Herring grabbed seven rebounds each and both Green and Herring blocked two shots.
Barger collected a career-high four steals while Byrd and Herring each had three. Sander dished out three assists with her six boards and six points.
College of Idaho’s Mia Austin led the contest with 15 points and Kylie Waltermeyer and Anna Mooney each had 13. Waltermeyer grabbed a game-best eight rebounds.
The Yotes shot 42.6% from the field and 50% (11-for-22) from 3-point range.
UP NEXT
The Warriors open 2025 on the road with contests against Multnomah (Ore.) and Warner Pacific (Ore.). Action in Portland on Jan. 3 starts at noon.