LEWISTON, Idaho – The No. 21 Lewis-Clark State Women's Basketball team got back to its winning ways on Saturday night with a 76-62 victory over Montana Tech. Kiara Burlage (26) and Abbie Johnson (25) both dropped a career-high in points, while Hannah Burland grabbed a career-best nine rebounds.

"Our teammates just saw us and we found each other well," Burlage said. "We got the ball inside a lot more. An inside-out pass is the easiest 3-pointer to make so that was a big thing."

The game started off with back-and-forth action from 3-point range. LC State answered an opening Oredigger 3 with a pair from Jansen Edmiston and Burlage. Back-to-back buckets from Jamie Nielson and Peyton Souvenir stretched the advantage to seven point (10-3) at 7:24. Burland hit a 3 to close out the LC scoring in the first quarter with the Warriors leading 18-14.

Tech bounced back in the second frame, pulling ahead 19-18 to start a battle to maintain the lead. A triple from Nielson in the final minute put the Warriors ahead 33-32 heading into the locker room.

The Warriors upped their game in the second half and quickly stretched the lead out to seven with a pair of 3s by Burlage and Johnson. LC State continued to answer Tech's baskets with their own to keep a consistent lead and by the end of the third the Warriors led 58-51.

Johnson gave LC State its largest lead of the game with a basket on an assist from Burlage midway through the fourth, making the difference 16 points (71-55). Rachel Schroeder capped the scoring with a 3-pointer with 1:11 on the clock to end things at 76-62.

Burlage led all scorers with her career-high 26 points including three 3s. She was 10-for-14 from the field. Johnson notched her fourth double-double with a career-best 25 points to go with 11 rebounds. Burland grabbed a career-high nine boards, including five offensive rebounds. Souvenir led the team with seven assists.  

As a team LC State shot 42.4 percent from the field. The Warriors drained 10 3s and 10 free throws. They held Montana Tech to 37.9 percent from the field and 5-for-15 from 3.

Mesa Williams and Celestina Faletoi led Tech with 19 points each, while Williams and Tavia Rooney each had 10 rebounds.

With the victory, LC State is now tied for first place in the Frontier Conference.

"It shows what we are capable of," Johnson said. "It's easier to build on things that are positive. You can build on a win."

The home stand continues on Thursday night when the Warriors host Providence in a 5:30 p.m. contest in the Activity Center.