EUGENE, Ore. – The Warrior Women's Basketball team concluded the regular season with a 68-59 victory over Bushnell University on Saturday led by a double-double from
Sitara Byrd. The junior totaled 15 points and 10 rebounds to go with four steals.
LC State heads into postseason play with a 22-5 record after going 17-5 in Cascade Conference action.
"Winning on the road is tough and I am proud of our team for finding ways to win on the road this weekend," coach
Caelyn Orlandi said. "I thought we found ways to respond to every run that Bushnell made in the game. I am proud of this team and the effort they always give. Every single one of them works hard and gives it their all. Every team has its own journey, and I loved coaching them through this regular season. I look forward to all there is to come in the postseason for this squad and what we can accomplish together."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Byrd opened the contest with a 3-pointer on the first possession and a block by
Darian Herring got the Warrior defense going. The teams battled back-and-forth before a triple by Byrd and baskets by
Lindsey Wilson and
Ellie Sander had the lead at 16-11 after 10 minutes.
A run of four points from Herring grew the margin to 20-14 by 8:04 in the second quarter, but Bushnell responded with a run to pull ahead 30-27. Free throws by
Payton Hymas and a 3 by
Tatum Brager put the Warriors in front 32-30 at 1:01, and another bucket by Brager had LC State up 34-32 at halftime.
Tallies by Sander, Herring, Hymas and
Mataya Green grew the lead to 43-34 in the first three minutes of the third frame. Wilson and Hymas combined for a five-point run to make it 48-36 at 2:53, and a layup by Byrd had the lead at 10, 50-40, with 10 minutes remaining.
Grace Beardin and Herring went back-to-back in the fourth to keep the margin at 10 points, but a run by the Beacons cut the difference to six points with 3:27 to play. A pair of layups by Sander and one by Wilson pushed the advantage back to double-digits, 66-53, in the final minute, and a final basket by Byrd ended the contest.
STAT RECAP
Byrd led the Warriors with 15 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. Herring added 12 points, nine boards and two blocks and Wilson scored 10 points. Hymas dished out eight assists with three steals.
LC State shot 44.4% from the field and held Bushnell to 39.6%. The Warriors forced 22 turnovers and scored 22 points off those turnovers.
UP NEXT
The Warriors will host a quarterfinal matchup of the CCC postseason tournament with an opponent to be announced later tonight. The contest is set for Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in the P1FCU Activity Center and tickets go on sale on Sunday.
Stay up to date with all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors.
