LEWISTON, Idaho – A grueling four-game road swing to the far reaches of Montana and back is the kind of experience, coach Brian Orr said, the Lewis-Clark State Warriors can use going forward into the final third of Frontier Conference women's basketball action.
 
"Playing four straight road games was a good thing for this team, we grew up a little, showed some fight, and we had some moments where we looked pretty good," Orr said. "Now we need compete for 40 minutes and take advantage of this four-game home stand."
 
The four-game stand begins Thursday at 5:30 p.m. when the Warriors take on Providence University and continues through Saturday's rematch with Montana State-Northern. It wraps up with the final regular-season home games – Friday, Feb. 16, vs. Montana-Western and Saturday, Feb. 17, vs. Montana Tech.
 
The Warriors have had their share of injury and illness over the winter – and they won't have guard Jansen Edmiston back in the lineup until next year. Orr, however, said that's part of the game.
 
"We have had our fair share of injuries and illness this year but that is an almost expected part of athletics and should never be an excuse," he said. "This team has enough depth and talent to overcome; it has just taken a little longer mainly because we have very young roster."
 
The youngsters on the team have proven to be talented with the aptitude to grow into leaders. Freshman Peyton Souvenir is the Warriors' scoring (10.0), free throw percentage (.837), assist (102 total) and steals (66 total) leader. Jossilyn Blackman, a junior, leads the team in rebounds (6.2) and blocked shots (19 total), and is tied with fellow junior Hailey Turner for second on the team in scoring (9.8).
 
And, with the season heading into the final six regular-season games, they have the game experience to use as a building block.
 
"Staying focused on 'this possession' for 40 minutes is the next step in our team's development," Orr said. "There's no doubt we are getting tougher every day but our challenge is maintaining that toughness both mentally and physically for the entire game.
 
"In almost every game we go through periods of time where we don't execute offensively or on defense we lose our intensity and focus. That's not to say that we don't work hard because we do. This team shows heart every game." 
 
The challenge this weekend is to try to extend their season win streak over MSUN to three and avenge two earlier losses to Providence.
 
"Thursday's game is the beginning of round three, and I know none of the league coaches like playing each other three, and sometimes four, times a year," Orr said. "But honestly right now, I think it is a positive thing when you have a young team.  All the teams know each other and know what to expect and this week we were able to spend more time on us versus going through a scouting report."
 
Saturday's game is the Warriors' annual Pink Night when patrons are encouraged to wear pink in homage to those who have, or the families of those who have, battled cancer.