LEWISTON, Idaho – Sophomore
Dylan Skaife exploded for 19 points in the second half to help lead (RV) LC State past (RV) Eastern Oregon by a final of 77-73 on Saturday. The victory avenged the loss to the Mounties earlier this season and showcased the Warriors' grit in a physical contest.
"Good bounce back win for the fellas," coach
Austin Johnson said. "Proud of them for how they responded after a tough loss last night. Josh's (Salguero) physical presence was a difference for us and Dylan continues to take steps with an all-around game. We did just enough to win. Hopefully we can shore up some things and keep improving."
The victory has the LC State record at 15-5 on the season and 9-3 in Cascade Conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Warriors held a slight scoring edge in each of the two halves.
Josh Salguero scored the first seven points of the night for LC State, but EOU answered to pull in front 15-7 by 13:09. Free throws by
Brandon Suber and a bucket by
Trevor Manning kept the score close, but the Mounties surged again for a 19-11 lead at 10:10.
Suber and Manning combined for six points, both on and-1 plays, and tallies by
Peyton Nordland and
Jamare' Childs had the Warriors within three, 24-21, at 7:50. A three-point play by Salguero and Skaife gave LC State a momentary 27-26 margin, and back-to-back triples by
Dallon Morgan and
John Lustig sent the Warriors into halftime with a 33-31 edge.
Morgan added another 3 to get the LC State offense going in the second half and points from Lustig kept the lead with the Warriors. Nordland hit a triple at 13:41 and Suber tallied five straight for LC State for a 49-46 lead at 10:48.
Skaife took over from there with 17 points in the final 10 minutes. With LC State down 50-49, he netted a 3-pointer then added free throws for a 54-51 edge. Seemingly each time EOU pulled within two, Skaife answered with a 3. The Mounties cut the difference to one, 72-71, with 90 seconds to play, but an and-1 by Suber and foul shots by Salguero closed out the night.
STAT RECAP
Skaife led all scorers with 22 points. He was 7-for-12 from the field and went 4-for-4 from 3-point range in the second half. Salguero added 12 points with nine rebounds. Skaife, Salguero and Lustig combined to go 10-for-10 from the free throw line.
Suber added 13 points with five free throws and five rebounds and Lustig grabbed five boards.
The Warriors shot 50% from the field and 45% from 3-point range with nine triples. LC State went 16-for-18 from the free throw line (88.9%).
James Bodily led EOU with 18 points and Porter Abrams grabbed nine rebounds.
UP NEXT
LC State hits the road next weekend for key matchups at No. 21 Oregon Tech and Southern Oregon.
Stay up to date with all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors.
