SEATTLE - The fourth-ranked Lewis-Clark State Men's Basketball team faced off against the defending GNAC champion Seattle Pacific Falcons (NCAA DII) on Wednesday night to open a two-game exhibition set in Seattle. The powerful Falcon offense overpowered LC State as SPU took game one by a final of 82-65.
"Tonight was a struggle in every facet," Head Coach Austin Johnson said. "Credit to SPU as they came out of the gates with an intensity and toughness that we weren't able to match consistently for the whole game. I am very grateful we were able to get these games in and learn more about ourselves."
The Falcons jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first minute before a layup from Trystan Bradley put the Warriors on the board at 18:37. Bradley added to his run with a shot from beyond the arc to even the score 5-5. A triple by Hodges Bailey made it an 8-0 run for LC State.
SPU responded with four straight to take a 12-8 advantage before a 3 from Khalil Stevenson brought the Warriors within one at 14:52. The Falcons stretched their lead to 19-11 with a seven-point run before Damek Mitchell found the basket to end the rally. A tip-in by Nathan Fromm made it 21-15, but SPU continued to push its lead to 25-15 to force an LC timeout.
Bradley snapped a 16-point run with a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer to make it a 37-20 deficit. Seattle Pacific led 48-27 at the half.
Jake Albright opened the second half with a basket in the first 30 seconds, but SPU continued to build on its lead and control the game. LC fell in the exhibition by a final of 82-65.
Mitchell led LC with 20 points in the contest and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. He was 5-for-8 from the field and 4-for-6 from 3. Bradley tallied 17 points with three 3-pointers.
The Warriors shot 32.8 percent from the field, 38.5 percent from 3-point range and went 17-for-20 from the free throw line.
"We have some flashes that were encouraging, but against such a high-level team we weren't composed enough to get any advantages. We will regroup and get back after it tomorrow."
Tonight's contest was an exhibition, so LC State's record does not change. They face Seattle Pacific tomorrow night at 6 p.m.
