LEWISTON, Idaho – The Warrior Women's Basketball team pushed No. 3 Southern Oregon to the edge on Saturday but ultimately fell to the 2024-25 Cascade Conference Champion Raiders 61-52. LC State celebrated seniors
Tessa Karlberg,
Mataya Green and
Ellie Sander prior to the contest.
Payton Hymas finished the night with 15 points and nine assists to lead the Warrior women.
"Southern Oregon is an extremely talented team and No. 3 in the nation for a reason. I thought our team battled so incredibly tough tonight and showed that we are national tournament contenders as well," coach
Caelyn Orlandi said. "Defensively, I thought that we did enough to win it, but offensively, we just had some costly turnovers.
"Our team competed so hard tonight, and I know that I would choose our players over and over again," Orlandi added. "They play hard, they play tough and they play the game the right way.
Payton Hymas was so good tonight. Her offense was efficient and her assists were top notch."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first quarter was an even back-and-forth matchup. After an opening basket by SOU,
Darian Herring and Sander went back-to-back for a 4-2 edge. A 3 by
Sitara Byrd made it 9-8 and a triple by Hymas had the score tied 12-12 at 3:18. A layup by
Lindsey Wilson and free throw by Hymas put the Warriors up 15-14 in the final two minutes, but a basket by SOU gave the Raiders a 16-15 edge after 10 minutes.
Southern Oregon grew its lead to 21-15 in the first two minutes of the second quarter before baskets by
Grace Beardin and Byrd put LC State on the board. The Raiders surged ahead 29-19 by 3:20, and a 3 by Hymas kept the game within reach. SOU led 32-22 at the break.
Green and Hymas combined for the first five points of the second half and tallies by Green and Herring cut the difference to four points, 36-32, at 7:10. The Raiders pushed the deficit back to 10 points and led 53-42 with 10 minutes to play.
Free throws by Green were followed by baskets by Wilson, Hymas and Byrd for an eight-point run to cut the margin to three, 55-52, at 4:22. The Warriors did not score again.
STAT RECAP
Hymas led LC State with 15 points and nine assists. Byrd tallied 12 points with seven rebounds.
SOU's Meghan McIntyre led the contest with 21 points and Emma Schmerbach finished the contest with 17 points and nine rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Warriors wrap up the regular season next weekend on the road against Bushnell (Ore.) and Corban (Ore.).
Stay up to date with all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors.
