LEWISTON, Idaho – Warrior Men's Basketball newcomers stood out on Saturday to help No. 25 LC State defeat Haskell Indian Nations (Kan.) 91-68 to conclude Tribal Nations Weekend, presented by the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge. Four Warriors scored at least 16 points in the victory and
Alton Hamilton notched a double-double to start his sophomore season.
The LC State bench scored 45 of the team's 91 points, highlighted by
Kasen Carpenter's 18 points on six 3-pointers.
Josh Salguero, who redshirted last season, tallied 16 points going 7-for-10 from the field.
"Tonight was a really good team win," Head Coach
Austin Johnson said. "Haskell set the tone early but over time our guys were able to get some rhythm and create opportunities. We fouled too much and were too shaky with the ball but we overcame all of that with effort. Kasen and Josh were huge tonight and helped create some breathing room. Very thankful for the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge, Nez Perce Tribe and LC Native American Club for their sponsorship and support of this event. It was awesome for the basketball community of this area and some great memories were made."
The night was special for the community of Lapwai as Haskell junior Alexander Ellenwood made his return to the Valley after competing for Lapwai High School. A crowd of more than 1,300 turned out for the Saturday night contest in support of both teams.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The contest was close to start with the teams trading baskets in a fast-paced first half. Hamilton scored the first four Warrior points of the season and baskets by
Grayson Hunt and
John Lustig had LC State in front 8-7 at 15:58. Haskell pulled ahead 11-8 before
MaCarhy Morris sparked a run of eight that featured four points from Salguero and two from
Jayceon Smith to put the Warriors in front 16-11 at 12:17.
A triple by
Peyton Nordland grew the lead to six, 19-13, a minute later but Haskell cut the difference to two, 22-20, by 9:26. Carpenter's first 3-pointer as a Warrior pushed the advantage to 25-20 at 8:22, and his second was part of an eight-point run that grew the difference to 33-22 with 5:45 to play in the half.
Carpenter added another pair of 3s before Hamilton and Smith drained baskets in the final minutes of the half. After 20 minutes, the Warriors led 47-32.
The teams went basket-for-basket until Morris netted back-to-back 3-pointers for a 58-39 lead at 17:10 in the second half. A three-point play by
Gorden Boykins grew the lead to 63-45 at 13:01, and Carpenter hit another 3 at 11:36. Consecutive baskets by Salguero gave the Warriors a 20-point advantage, 72-52, with 9:31 to play, and four free throws by Morris made it 78-58 by 7:22. Baskets were traded throughout the remaining minutes and Carpenter ended the scoring with a 3 to push the final score to 91-68.
STAT RECAP
Carpenter led all scorers with 18 points in his Warrior debut and Hamilton completed his double-double with 17 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Morris and Salguero each scored a career-best 16 points and Salguero added seven rebounds. Smith and Boykins each dished out four assists.
The Warriors shot 51.5% from the field and 40.7% from 3-point range. LC State outrebounded Haskell 48-23, including 22 offensive rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Warriors are in Caldwell next weekend for College of Idaho's Taco Bell Shootout. LC State will face Dickinson State (N.D.) on Nov. 8 and Providence (Mont.) on Nov. 9.
Stay up to date with all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors.
