SALEM, Ore. – The 15th-ranked Lewis-Clark State College men's basketball team used defense and depth to overcome a shaky start and foul trouble in a 90-65 rout of Simpson University at the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center on the campus of Corban University as part of the Corban Classic.
 
Since Rinta took over LC State five seasons ago, the Warriors have been known for their defense and depth and that showed throughout the game on Saturday night. LCSC forced 21 turnovers and turned them in to 24 points while also limiting Simpson to just 19 made baskets and none from beyond the 3-point arc.
 
"Our defense won this game for us," said Warriors Head Coach Brandon Rinta. "We did a great job of forcing them into 21 turnovers and turning those into 24 points."
 
Despite a 10-point lead at the break, Rinta wasn't happy with the first half for LC which saw the Red Hawks score 29 points on 10-of-19 shooting (52.6%) and 9-of-14 from the free throw line (64.3%). The Warriors converted 15-of-35 first half attempts for a 42.9 percent mark that included an 18.8 percent showing from beyond the arc, 2-of-11. The saving grace for LC was seven made free throws and a late run to close out the half.
 
It took 15 minutes for the Warriors to settle in and pull away. It was a back and forth first half with several lead changes and neither team able to lead by more than five points. That all changed when Jeremy Franklin hit a 3-pointer to break a 24-24 tie. His basket sparked a 15-5 run over the final 5:10 of the half, which included a 9-0 spurt to push the lead to nine, 33-24. LCSC took a 39-29 lead to the locker room.
 
"It wasn't our best first half, but we found a rhythm in the second half. Doug got it going early with 16 points in the first eight minutes of the second half," said Rinta.
 
LCSC caught fire in the second half and the defense limited Simpson to just nine made baskets and forced seven turnovers. The Warriors meanwhile converted 15-of-30 attempts in the final 20 minutes which included 6-of-17 from long range and 15-of-18 from the charity stripe.
 
Doug McDaniel netted 17 of his game-high 25 in the second half which included a trio of 3-pointers that helped extend the lead early. After Simpson cut the margin to eight, Zavon Jackson converted at the line and McDaniel hit the first of his three second half 3-pointers to push the lead to 12. The next 18 Warrior points were scored by McDaniel or Connor Desaulniers to push the lead to 17.
 
An Anthony Sullen dunk with 5:41 to play pushed the lead to a game-high 26 points and LCSC went 6-for-6 from the charity stripe the rest of the way to seal the 25-point win.  
 
Four different Warriors netted double-digit points led by McDaniel's 25. Franklin and Desaulniers each tallied 14 points while Sullen added 11. Jackson and Ty Higbie led LC with eight rebounds.
 
"Connor had a great game off the bench for us," said Rinta. "It's too bad he fouled out because they were having trouble stopping him."
 
For the contest LCSC shot 46.2 percent from the floor, 30-of-65, which included a 28.6 percent mark from the 3-point arc, 8-of-28. LCSC also converted 71 percent of their free throw attempts, 22-of-31. The defense limited Simpson to 42.2 percent from the field, 19-of-45, but allowed 38 free throw attempts which the Red Hawks turned to 27 points.
 
The Warriors won on the glass with a 40-32 margin including 14 offensive boards. LCSC dished out 19 assists to 10 turnovers and had 12 steals. LCSC tallied 10 fast break points, 42 points in the paint, 49 bench points and 14 second-chance points, all nearly double that of the Red Hawks.
 
"We did a great job rebounding, especially on the offensive glass," added Rinta. "It's always encouraging when you have different guys stepping up each night. That's been one of our trademarks the past few years and it's going to continue this season. That is one of the benefits of depth, especially when we are in foul trouble like we were tonight."
 
The Warriors wrap up play in the Corban Classic on Sunday with a 4 p.m. contest against Corban University and head coach Austin Johnson, the Warriors top assistant the past five seasons.