LEWISTON – No. 8 LC State Women’s Basketball improved all around on Friday with a 74-45 rout of The Evergreen State College. Maddie Holm notched her second double-double in a row and Ellie Sander tied her career-high with 20 points.
The Warriors outrebounded TESC 50-33 and tallied 14 steals for the fourth time this season. LC forced 21 turnovers, a season best, and scored 28 points off those turnovers.
“I loved how our team started with great effort and intensity and played hard the whole game,” Head Coach Caelyn Orlandi said. “Our defensive effort was much improved today and I thought we communicated well on defense, and forcing 21 turnovers was big. Off of those 21 turnovers we were able to capitalize and score 28 points.”
The win moves the Warriors to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in Cascade Conference action.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Warriors opened the contest with an 11-0 run on tallies by Sander, Callie Stevens, Darian Herring and Mataya Green. LC had four steals in the stretch with two by Sitara Byrd and one each by Stevens and Green. Sander hit a 3 and Byrd added a jumper to put the Warriors up 16-3 by 4:33. Ella Nelson closed out the scoring in the first quarter with LC up 18-8.
Five straight points by Sander and a free throw by Green had the Warriors off to a hot start in the second frame. Sander added a three-point play before a layup by Green made it 30-14 with 2:17 to play in the half. LC State finished off the quarter with four free throws by Hymas and a basket by Sander for a 36-19 advantage.
Holm started a 14-point rally in the third, fueled by baskets by Herring and Hymas. Holm scored eight points in the run to put LC ahead 50-21 midway through. Tatum Brager and Camden Barger each hit a three before Grace Beardin and Nelson added to the total to send the Warriors into the final frame with a 61-31 lead.
Holm sparked another scoring run, this time of 11 points, to stretch the LC advantage to 74-35 with 3:35 to play. TESC closed out the game with the final 10 points.
Sander led all scorers with 20 points and Holm added 10 with 11 boards. Sander, Herring and Stevens each had four assists and Byrd had six steals. Every Warrior scored in the contest.
“I love a game where every player can score and I was very pleased with our whole team tonight,” Orlandi said. “Everyone came in and made something happen. Maddie Holm was tough again with another double-double and Ellie Sander was able to tie her career-high in points tonight with 20 and fill the stat sheet with five rebounds, four assists and two steals. I love when we share the basketball and today we did that again. 22 assists on 29 made baskets is wonderful and we have so many good passers on this team. Our forwards are excellent passers, our guards move the ball well and it’s so encouraging to know that this team wants to share the ball and are more worried about our team’s success than any individual one.
Jalyn Sackrider and Abby Mundy led the Geoducks with eight points each while Sackrider and Sydney Vanness grabbed seven rebounds apiece.
UP NEXT
The Warriors hit the road next week to take on Walla Walla University in College Place, Wash. Tip off is set for 5:30 p.m.
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