(Lewiston, Idaho), Strong defense and sharing of the basketball were key on Saturday for No. 19 LC State Women’s Basketball in its 86-45 victory over Northwest University (Wash.). The Warriors saw a season-high 28 assists to go with 19 steals and 27 forced turnovers in the contest.
Ellie Sander led LC State in scoring with 18 points with an efficient 8-for-11 performance from the field. Darian Herring and Payton Hymas each dished out five assists.
“Fun weekend for Warrior Women’s Basketball,” coach Caelyn Orlandi said. “I was extremely proud of our defensive efforts this weekend and loved the way our team practiced and performed. Two big practice themes of the week were achieved during our games and I look forward to continuing those efforts.”
The victory improves the LC State record to 16-4 overall and 10-4 in Cascade Conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
LC State opened the game with a commanding 8-0 run on baskets by Herring, Sander and Hymas. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Sander and Sitara Byrd had the advantage to 18-6 by 3:42 before baskets by Kendall Wallace and Sander closed out the first 10 minutes with the Warriors in front 24-13.
The Warrior defense nearly shut out the Eagles in the second frame. The only NU point came on a free throw and LC State outscored its opponent 20-1 in the quarter. Byrd tallied six points, Herring scored five, Hymas added four, Tatum Brager chipped in three and Wallace added two for a 44-14 lead at the break.
Baskets by Sander and Hymas capped the 17-point run started in the second quarter for a 52-14 lead by 6:26 in the third. The advantage sat at 66-29 with 10 minutes to play.
The Warrior bench drained big baskets in the fourth quarter as a layup by Grace Beardin and 3-pointers by Brager and Tessa Karlberg made it 74-33 at 7:17. Keira O’Neill, Ella Nelson, Karlberg and Bella Firnkoess each added to the total in the final minutes of the 86-45 victory.
STATE RECAP
Sander led all scorers with 18 points on 8-for-11 shooting. She added four assists and four steals to her night. Byrd struck for 16 points, six rebounds and two steals, while Herring totaled 14 points, seven boards, five assists, three blocks and two steals.
Lindsey Wilson tied her career-high with four assists and Hymas dished out five. The 28 assists are the most by the team this season and came at a high rate with 35 made baskets. The Warriors forced 27 turnovers that accounted for 33 points.
“What I love about today’s game was our 28 assists and 27 forced turnovers,” Orlandi said. “I love when we share the ball and have a balanced attack offensively and especially love when we can turn our defense into offense.”
LC State held Northwest to 31.3% shooting from the field and grabbed 41 rebounds against NU’s 33. Kaleah Madeiros and Kimberly Carrada Sanchez led the Eagles with 13 points each and Ellie De Waard grabbed eight rebounds.
