LEWISTON, Idaho – No. 15 LC State Women's Basketball snapped (RV) Southern Oregon's 40-game Cascade Conference win streak on Friday to open 2026 in emphatic fashion.
Sitara Byrd was key on both sides of the ball with 23 points and seven steals in the Warriors' 62-47 victory in Lewiston.
The LC State defense totaled 18 steals and forced 28 turnovers in the contest and held the Raiders to a 31.8% mark from the field. SOU came into the game as the CCC leader in steals per game, but the Warriors doubled up the Raider total on the night.
"Tremendous team win and I am proud of our defensive efforts today," coach
Caelyn Orlandi said. "We were able to force turnovers and capitalize off those turnovers. I believe our best offense is our defense and when we can force turnovers, get steals and steal possessions we are a really great basketball team."
Byrd had a standout night with 23 points on nine field goals. She netted three 3-pointers to go with her seven steals and six rebounds.
"
Sitara Byrd had a special performance tonight and her ability to score the ball and play the bottom of our defense is truly remarkable," Orlandi added. "She had seven steals against a very talented SOU team. What she does on the court never ceases to amaze me and I shouldn't be surprised at this point in her career, but she is a special player."
The win has the Warrior record at 10-3 overall and 4-1 in CCC action.
HOW IT HAPPENED
LC State held Southern Oregon to just nine points in each of the first two quarters. The Warriors opened the contest on an 8-0 run with a pair of 3-pointers by Byrd and a layup from
Kendall Wallace. The pair added back-to-back baskets for a 12-4 advantage at 6:33 before 3-pointers from Byrd and
Grace Beardin had the lead at 20-8 at the end of the first frame.
Tatum Brager scored the first five points of the second quarter, and
Lindsey Wilson scored before a triple by
Ellee Brockman capped a 10-point run for a 30-9 cushion by 5:54. Byrd scored twice more in the frame for a 34-18 lead at the break.
The third quarter started with back-to-back baskets by
Darian Herring before a pair of tallies by Byrd had the margin at 43-22 at 3:11. Brager drained a 3 for a 22-point lead, 46-24, and three points by Beardin in the final two minutes had LC State in front 49-28 with 10 minutes to play.
SOU opened the final frame on a 6-0 run before an and-1 by Wilson got the Warrior offense going. Byrd and Wilson added free throws in the final three minutes to close out the victory.
STAT RECAP
Byrd led all scorers with 23 points along with her seven steals and six boards. Wilson was solid under the basket with nine points and seven rebounds, and Herring led the Warriors with 11 boards and five assists.
"Darian did Darian things for us today and did a great job bringing the ball up the court," Orlandi said. "
Lindsey Wilson was so strong inside and battled in an extremely physical game down low for us."
Brager tallied eight points on a pair of 3s and Wallace added seven points and three steals.
"
Kendall Wallace did a great job as well and brings energy and toughness to the court," Orlandi added. "You know she will always give her 100%t effort on the court for us and she has been doing a great job on offense getting paint touches and finding her teammates."
LC State totaled 12 assists on 23 made baskets and turned defense into offense with 22 points on 28 forced turnovers. The Warriors held SOU to 31.8% shooting from the floor and just 14.3% (2-for-14) from 3-point range.
"I thought
Payton Hymas made winning defensive plays today and ended with steals, blocks, and forced her opponent into offensive fouls," Orlandi said. "She walls up so well on defense and what she did for us defensively tonight was exactly what we needed her to do.
"Every player that played in the game today had a positive impact for us and I am proud of all of their efforts," Orlandi said. "We have to turn around and play a tough OIT team tomorrow and I look forward to our challenge."
UP NEXT
LC State continues Cascade Conference play on Saturday when it hosts No. 21 Oregon Tech in the P1FCU Activity Center. Tip off is set for 4 p.m.
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