BUTTE, Mont. – Six scored in double-figures as the 11-seed Lewis-Clark State Men’s Basketball team punched its ticket to Kansas City, Mo., with an 85-77 victory over No. 3 seed, and No. 8 overall, Montana Tech in the second round of the NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament.
“Tonight was another special performance by our guys,” coach Austin Johnson said. “In a true road game to get to Kansas City we persevered and handled the emotions of the game well.”
Davian Brown led LC State with 18 points that included a 9-for-9 free throw performance. The senior hit three 3-pointers and had five rebounds.
Quentin Raynor added 13 points and three assists. Freshman Alton Hamilton finished with 12 points and five rebounds.
Sam Stockton was a rebound away from a double-double with 11 points and nine boards. Jaedon Bradley and Gorden Boykins collected 11 points each.
“Our seniors once again really spearheaded things,” Johnson said. “As has been the case all year this is a true team win, it’s a testament to their character and competitive temperament. I’m so excited they get to experience KC.”
The Warriors, for the second consecutive game, closed out the game with a strong free throw performance. LC State finished 19-of-21 from the line including a 16-of-18 performance in the second half. The Warrior bench outscored the Montana Tech bench 24-18.
“We limited them in transition and on the glass which we felt were the two main keys,” Johnson said. “Offensively we really shared the ball and got great looks both inside and outside.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Bradley got the scoring started for LC State with a layup and a pair of free throws. Stockton and Hamilton added layups, Brown hit a free throw and Hamilton scored again to put the Warriors in front 11-6. Bradley connected on his first 3-pointer of the game followed by Brown hitting one of his own on the next possession and LC led 17-8.
The Orediggers’ 11-0 run gave Montana Tech a 22-19 advantage before the Warrior guards took over. John Lustig hit a jumper in the paint, Stockton hit a pair of 3s and Raynor added a 3-pointer and LC went back out in front 30-24.
Montana Tech retook the lead 40-39 with 1:38 to go in the first half on a run capped by a layup by Ifeanyi Okeke. Boykins responded with a layup on the following possession to give the Warriors an advantage. The two teams traded scores before Brown concluded the first half with a late 3 and LC led 46-45 at halftime.
The start of the second half was much like the end of the first, with the two teams trading baskets. The Warriors trailed 54-53 six minutes into the half before Boykins scored on a jumper in the paint and LC took the lead for good.
Boykins and Raynor scored five points each and Brown added two free throws to grow the Warrior cushion to nine. After a free throw from Montana Tech, Bradley scored on a layup and LC had the lone double-digit margin in the game 69-59 with 7:38 remaining.
Much like he did in the first-round win against Hope International (Calif.) the day before, Hamilton delivered the make-shift dagger for LC. With 55 seconds remaining, the freshman slammed down a dunk to put the Warriors up eight. Five combined free throws by Hamilton, Stockton and Brown closed out the win.
UP NEXT
The Warriors travel to Kansas City, Mo., to play in the Round of 16 of the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship. LC State will play the No. 15 seed in the Naismith Quadrant Evangel (Mo.) at 5 p.m. PT on March 21.
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