LEWISTON, Idaho – Race Martin poured in 26 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead Lewis-Clark State College to a 91-82 Frontier Conference-opening victory over Montana Western Thursday night at the Activity Center.
 
The Warriors (9-1, 1-0) shot 52.1 percent from the field and didn't let up against one of the league's perennial powers.
 
"This was a big win for our guys against a quality opponent," coach Brandon Rinta said. "Western's had a lot of really good teams. This might be one of the better ones they've had."
 
Lewis-Clark's balance is starting to show as four players – including Andre McCowan coming off the bench for 20 points, reached double-figure scoring and all but one scored. In addition to Martin and McCowan, Derrick White had 11 points and Cory Dollarhide had 10. Trea Thomas had eight assists and White had six as the Warriors totaled 23. The one battle that was even was rebounding where both teams had 32.
 
The first half was a back-and-forth battle with neither team leading by more than a handful with the Warriors eventually managing a 45-43 halftime edge. They never trailed in the second half and built a late-game lead of 12.
 
"Our guys responded well," Rinta said. "We had different guys stepping up at different times."
 
As Montana Western altered defenses and pressures, Rinta said the Warriors were able to come up with the right answers.
 
"They got us off balance a little bit," he said, "but our guys responded well by just continuing to move the ball and get the ball in to Race."