ASHLAND, Ore. - Though the Warriors saw their winning streak snapped yesterday when they fell to Southern Oregon, they came out looking as strong as ever in a big win 74-52 win over Oregon Tech. LC used a big 16-point run in the first quarter to put themselves in the driver's seat for the rest of the contest and never looked back.
"It's always interesting to see how a team responds after a loss," Head Coach Brian Orr said. "I thought we were dialed in to our early morning shoot around and we had that focus for most of the game."
After the Owls drew first blood, the Warriors went on a 16-0 run to take control of the first quarter. Abbie Johnson sparked the run with a layup at the 9:20 mark and Blackman contributed five-straight points. Blackman blocked a shot and took it all the way back to put LC up 13-2 with seven minutes to play in the opening frame. Hailey Turner hit a three to cap the run with LC in front 16-2 at 6:10. Peyton Souvenir was fouled while making a basket with 45 second on the clock, and drained the free throw to complete the three-point play and LC led 22-13 at the end of the quarter.
Turner owned the second quarter, scoring 12 of the Warriors' 15 points in the period. Cali Moscrip joined in on the fun, hitting a three with 2:26 remaining to give LC a 36-21 lead. The Owls went on a short six-point run to cut the Warriors' lead to 36-27 at halftime.
Hannah Burland got the Warriors on the board to begin the second half with a layup assisted by Blackman. Blackman and Burland went back-to-back with baskets, Burland's being a long three, to put LC up 45-31 with just under seven minutes to play in the quarter. Oregon Tech answered back with seven-straight but LC continued to lead 56-44 heading into the fourth.
Johnson knocked down two free throws to open the final frame and a jumper from Jamie Nielson kept the momentum going. Kiara Burlage gave LC its largest lead of the contest with just under seven to play with a jumper to put the Warriors ahead by 17 at 62-45. The Warriors strung together six-straight points in the final two minutes of the game with three points each from Burlage and Souvenir was LC closed to game out with a 74-52 victory.
"Offensively, we had some really good moments this afternoon, and some that were not so good," Orr said. "It was the same with our defense. Trying to be more consistent is always the goal, but I was very proud of our effort both games. If we can just maintain that and keep improving, we have a chance to be a really good team."
Turner led the Warriors in scoring, with all of her 16 points coming in the first half. Souvenir chipped in 13 and Johnson added 10 with eight rebounds and four steals.
LC was an efficient 16-for-20 from the free throw line (80 percent) and were able to force 19 turnovers by the Owls.
The Warriors will open Frontier Conference play at home on Thursday when they host Montana Tech at 5:30 p.m. in the Activity Center.
