HELENA, Mont. – A series of offensive rebounds by host Carroll College gave the Saints the edge they needed to shake off the persistent Lewis-Clark State Warriors and win 49-42 in Frontier Conference women's basketball action Thursday night.
 
It was that rebounding lapse at the end of the game that was a significant factor in the low-scoring game where every possession was a premium.
 
"This was a defensive battle," coach Brian Orr said. "Both teams played extremely hard for 40 minutes. You have to give Carroll a lot of credit because they had several possessions where they hit big shots at the end of the shot clock."
 
With four minutes to play, it was either team's game after LC's Peyton Souvenir made it 45-42 on a pair of free throws. The Saints pushed their lead to five, 47-42, with 3:02 to play but that was the last of the scoring until two Jaidyn Lyman free throws with eight seconds remaining.
 
In between those baskets, Carroll pulled down three crucial offensive rebounds en route to a 41-24 rebounding advantage.
 
"The biggest difference in the game," Orr said, "was our inability to control the defensive boards, especially in the fourth quarter. You can do everything right on defense, but if you fail to rebound it doesn't matter."
 
Then there was the matter of tempo. The Saints, who won the regular-season title with the victory, held the Warriors in check and to the low percentage longer-range shots. LC was just six-of-22 from 3-point range – part of an overall 15-of-46 for the night.
 
"Carroll did a good job of taking away our transition game and limiting our post touches," Orr said. "When that happens, you have to be able to make some perimeter shots which is something that has hurt us all season." 
 
Souvenir led the Warriors in scoring with 10 points, with Hailey Turner and Delaney Henery finishing with seven each. Turner also was the leading rebounder with five.
 
The Warriors wrap up the regular season at Rocky Mountain College Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (PT). They will open Frontier Conference Tournament action Wednesday – most likely as the No. 5 seed at No. 4 Providence.