LEWISTON, Idaho – No. 24 LC State Women's Basketball defended at a high level on Saturday in its 92-47 victory over Multnomah.
Sitara Byrd had a big game with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
The Warriors shot a season-best from 3-point range at 56.5% (13-for-23) and held Multnomah to just 29.3% from the field.
"Extremely proud of the way we defended again tonight. Both games this weekend we came out with great intensity and energy and never looked back," coach
Caelyn Orlandi said. "Sitara was excellent tonight and when she starts hitting from 3 it's contagious. Ellie (Sander) and Tatum (Brager) both were able to shoot it well from the 3 tonight and I'm glad to see the 3 drop for them.
"Credit to Multnomah for continuing to fight this season," Orlandi added. "They only have six players, and I hope they are all able to continue their athletic and academic careers with their school closing. We have some big games coming up and I look forward to watching our defense continue to improve every day. Our best basketball needs to be played in February and March, and I love the direction our team is going."
The win improves the LC State record to 18-4 on the season and 12-4 in Cascade Conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Payton Hymas and
Darian Herring gave LC State a 4-0 lead out of the gate before a pair of 3s by Byrd and a layup by Hymas grew the advantage to 12-2 by 7:02 in the first quarter. Four straight free throws by Hymas and two by
Mataya Green made it 18-4 midway through the frame and the Warriors closed out the quarter with seven consecutive points on buckets by Herring,
Ellie Sander and Byrd for a 27-10 lead.
The Warriors allowed just seven points in the second quarter and carried its scoring run from the first frame to 11 with tallies by Byrd and
Lindsey Wilson. A triple by Hymas sparked a run of 19 to close out the half with LC State ahead 52-17.
Byrd capped the run at 22 with a 3-pointer to start the third quarter. Sander drained a pair of 3s and one by Byrd made it 68-24 with 4:27 left in the frame. Free throws by Wilson and
Tessa Karlberg had the Warriors in front 73-26 with 10 minutes to play.
Tatum Brager hit a pair of 3-pointers to kick off the final frame and
Keira O'Neill found the basket for an 81-31 margin at 6:47.
Camden Barger and Karlberg combined for six points on free throws before
Bella Firnkoess netted a 3-pointer in the final two minutes.
Ella Nelson closed out the contest with a pair of free throws.
STAT RECAP
Byrd led the contest with 21 points and 10 boards. She shot 8-for-11 from the field and 5-for-6 from 3-point range. Sander and Hymas each scored 15 points with Sander adding eight assists and four steals. Brager was 3-for-3 from 3-point range for her nine points.
The Warriors shot 56.5% from 3-point range and 54.4% overall from the field. LC State made 17-of-19 free throws and grabbed 43 rebounds compared to Multnomah's 26.
The LC State defense held the Lions to 29.3% from the field and 21.4% from 3-point range.
Jersey Huerta led the Lions with 18 points and Gracie Browning added 12 with six rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Warriors hit the road next weekend to take on College of Idaho and Eastern Oregon.
Stay up to date with all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors.
