LC State Women’s Basketball Opens Season With Exhibition at WSU
10/20/2024 | Alisha Alexander | Assistant Athletic Director-Sports Information
PULLMAN, Wash. – Payton Hymas is back. The LC State junior made her return to the court after missing the majority of the 2023-24 season due to injury and made her presence known in an exhibition contest at NCAA Division I Washington State on Sunday. The guard led the Warriors with 15 points, and despite the 99-54 final score, LC State showed that it is a force to be reckoned with this season in the NAIA.
“There were so many positives about today’s game,” Head Coach Caelyn Orlandi said. “I know our team is going to be so incredibly tough. We competed every possession and battled hard every step of the way. I thought we stayed poised and executed in game adjustments. Wazzu was picked to finished second by one point in the WCC and is a very talented team that is simply bigger than us. We did win the offensive rebound war which I was proud of. I am looking forward to our continued growth this season and excited for our next game on Friday.”
The Warriors showed spots of greatness in the physical contest. Senior Ellie Sander accounted for six rebounds to lead LC State and combined with Hymas to dish out seven assists. Darian Herring looked strong with 12 points on four field goals and a 4-for-4 performance at the free throw line. Grace Beardin also impressed with her shooting skills in the first half. The Warriors won the offensive rebound battle 14-8.
“I thought Payton Hymas did an excellent job of taking on the defensive pressure and staying under control. She made great decisions today,” Orlandi added. “Sophomore Grace Beardin played excellent and had no fear competing against a Division I team. She shot the ball very well and does a great job in our defense.”
LC State has one final tune up when the Warriors travel to Moscow, Idaho, on Oct. 26 to face the Vandals. The regular season begins on Nov. 2 at home as part of Tribal Nations Weekend, presented by the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Sitara Byrd hit an equalizing 3-pointer on an assist from Hymas just before the shot clock expired and Hymas put the Warriors in front 5-3 with a layup in the first minute of play. After a run by the Cougs, Herring found the basket at 6:51 to keep the score within three at 10-7. Sander hit a step-back jumper to add to the Warrior total in opening quarter and Hymas closed out the LC scoring for a 22-11 after 10 minutes.
Hymas found Beardin for the first LC State basket of the second frame, and a steal by Hymas led to a fast break bucket by Sander. Beardin added a triple 30 seconds later on a dime by Sander. Tatum Brager hit her first 3 of the year off a pass by Lindsey Wilson and Beardin added her second triple of the quarter at 5:03. Herring fought through traffic for a bucket in the final minute. WSU led 49-26 at the break.
Beardin led the Warriors with eight first-half points and Sander grabbed five boards in the first 20 minutes.
A jumper by Sander was the first LC State tally of the third quarter and Wilson put one away after an offensive rebound. Hymas and Herring added to the Warrior total for a 74-38 score with 10 minutes to play.
A 3 by Brager was the first basket of the final frame and Herring followed with a jumper 40 seconds later to give the Warriors five points in the first minute. Hymas and Herring each found the basket before Herring assisted in a jumper by Brager at the 6:32 mark. An assist from Keira O’Neill fed a 3 by Hymas in the final minute.
STAT RECAP
Hymas led LC State with 15 points and four assists. Herring added 12 points and Beardin scored eight. Sander led the defense with six boards to go with six points and three assists.
UP NEXT
The Warriors women play a final exhibition on Oct. 25 at Idaho. Tipoff in Moscow is set for 6 p.m.
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