Men's Basketball | 01.13.2017
Box Score LEWISTON, Idaho – Senior guard
Doug McDaniel scored a game-high 26 points and a couple of runs in the first half helped the Lewis-Clark State College men's basketball team defeat Montana Tech 80-59 in Frontier Conference play at the LCSC Activity Center on Friday night.
The win lifts the Warriors to 13-5 overall and 3-3 in conference play, while the Orediggers fall to 6-11 overall and remain winless in conference play at 0-6.
McDaniel, LCSC's leading scorer this season at 18.5 points per game, was one point shy of his season high and enjoyed an outstanding shooting night with an 11-of-14 effort from the field. He also grabbed six rebounds and had two assists.
"Doug had a great night for us," LCSC coach
Brandon Rinta said. "It was a good to see our guys take care of business."
The Warriors' did their business early. The contest was tied at 12, but LCSC went on a 9-1 run to take the lead for good at 21-13. LCSC later went on a 9-0 run to make it 32-17 with 5:10 remaining, and later took a 39-24 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Montana Tech cut the lead to 12 points but after McDaniel scored at the 14:22 mark to make it 55-39, the Orediggers never got closer than 15 the rest of the way.
"I think one of the key things for us is that we did a good job away from the basketball," Rinta said. "We were in the passing lanes and we force 17 turnovers. That was really a key to the game."
The Warriors' transition game had a big hand in the outcome as well. LCSC had a 12-0 advantage in points off of turnovers in the first half and an 11-0 advantage in fastbreak points.
Both teams shot nearly identical from the field overall. LCSC was 28-of-55 for 50.9 percent while Montana Tech made one less shot with also 55 attempts for 49.1 percent. LCSC, however, had eight 3-pointers in the game, while Montana Tech was 1-of-9. LCSC also was 16-of-21 at the foul line, while the Orediggers were just 4-of-8.
Zavon Jackson finished with a double-double for the Warriors as had 10 points to go with 10 rebounds. It was the senior forward's third double-double of the season.
Ty Higbie also was in double figures with 10 points, while
Anthony Sullen scored nine.
LCSC was missing two players in the game.
Derrick White continues to recover from an injury and hasn't played in three weeks, while
Jeremy Franklin injured his knee in practice on Tuesday and was on crutches at the game. It is unknown how long he will be out, but Rinta said it is likely for a while.
"Jeremy is an important piece for us," Rinta said of the 6-foot-6 junior forward who is averaging 8.0 points per game. "It's tough to replace him."
LCSC will be back in action on Saturday night as the complete the second half of a rare conference home stand on back-to-back nights. LCSC will take on Carroll College at 7:30 p.m. Carroll is ranked No. 23 in the NAIA and is 4-1 in conference play and 13-3 overall.
