| EUGENE, Ore. – Sitara Byrd stepped up in a big way to help No. 7 LC State Women’s Basketball team to a 68-61 victory over Bushnell University on Friday. The sophomore posted a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double to pair with Callie Stevens’ 21 points for the Warriors’ 12th straight win.
“Our effort on the glass was tremendous this afternoon and I thought we battled well for every rebound. Winning on the road is tough and I was proud of our grit to win today,” Head Coach Caelyn Orlandi said. “Sitara played so well today and her double-double was well-earned. Callie shot the ball well and raced the ball up the floor to ignite our fast breaks. Ella (Nelson) communicates and brings energy every time she steps on the floor and she does a great job playing the 2 and the 3 spot.”
The victory avenged LC State’s lone loss so far this season in Cascade Conference play after the Beacons took the contest in Lewiston.
The win moves the Warrior women to 20-2 overall and 16-1 in CCC play.
“A great win for the team’s 20th win of the season and we are looking forward to competing tomorrow,” Orlandi added.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Five points from Callie Stevens got the Warrior offense going before Ellie Sander added five in similar fashion to put LC State up 10-6 by 6:39. Sitara Byrd took a steal back to the basket before a triple by Steven and jumper by Darian Herring had the lead at 17-13 at 4:05.
The Beacons kept pace and took a 19-17 lead with 2:26 to play in the first quarter, but a pair of baskets by Lindsey Wilson had the score tied 21-21 at the end of the frame.
Free throws by Ella Nelson broke a three-minute scoring draught to give the Warriors a 24-21 lead. After foul shots by Bushnell had the score within two, Wilson and Byrd added for a 29-24 cushion before a three-point play by Mataya Green and layup by Herring pushed the run to 10 points. LC led 34-24 at 3:32.
A basket by Byrd helped the Warriors maintain a 36-32 edge at the break.
Stevens, Byrd and Wilson got things started in the second half to help the Warrior hold a slim lead in the opening minutes. Stevens drained a 3 and was fouled on the play before netting her foul shot to push the advantage to 46-41 at 5:52.
The Warriors held on to the five-point lead with tallies from Herring before Green, Byrd and Herring rattled off a seven-point rally to make it 55-46 before ending the frame in front 56-49.
Stevens started the fourth quarter with a 3 to push the margin to 10 points, 59-49, before cutting a Bushnell run with a jumper at 7:05. The Beacons trimmed the Warrior advantage to 62-60 at 5:47.
The final four minutes of the game was low-scoring with just a bucket by Nelson and free throws by Byrd and Stevens.
Stevens led all scorers with 21 points and Byrd notched her double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Stevens added four assists to her day and Herring had four steals.
UP NEXT
The road trip continues on Saturday when LC State heads to Corban for a 3 p.m. contest.
Stay up to date with all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors. |
