SPOKANE, Wash. – Kendall Wallace led a fresh-faced LC State Women's Basketball team in the season opener where the Warrior women battled with No. 12 Rocky Mountain (Mont.) to the final seconds to open the Northwest Crossover Classic. LC State fell just short in the 59-58 loss but saw bright spots with Wallace's 23 points and a standout debut by freshman
Kaylee Cordle.
Wallace netted 23 points with the help of 5-for-7 shooting from 3-point range, and Cordle tallied 16 points with five assists in her first game at the collegiate level.
Darian Herring stood out on defense with 13 rebounds and four blocked shots.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Warriors held Rocky to just five points in the first 10 minutes to jump out to a 12-5 lead. The LC State defense limited the Bears to one field goal and Wallace scored eight points to give the Warriors early momentum.
Rocky Mountain turned things around in the second quarter with six straight points to cut the LC State lead to 12-11.
Tatum Brager drained a 3-pointer and Cordle followed with a bucket at 4:32 to keep the lead at 17-11. Back-to-back baskets by the freshman grew the advantage to 23-15 with 2:22 to play in the half, and free throws by Cordle and
Ellee Brockman had the lead at 26-22 at the break.
The big third quarter for the Battlin' Bears turned the momentum in favor of Rocky. A triple by
Grace Beardin and jumper by Brager had the Warrior offense rolling early before a nine-point run had RMC in front 33-31 at 6:05 in the third. The lead changed hands until a jumper in the final minute gave Rocky a 43-40 edge.
A 3 by Wallace had LC State within three, 46-43, to start the final frame. Tallies from Cordle and Herring evened the score 47-47 and foul shots by Wallace gave the Warriors a brief 49-47 lead at 5:12. Rocky Mountain answered with a run to jump ahead 54-49 and led 57-51 with three minutes to play. Wallace netted a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but LC State fell one point short at 59-58.
STAT RECAP
Wallace led all scorers with 23 points in the contest on five 3-pointers. She was 6-for-6 from the free throw line and grabbed seven rebounds. Cordle filled up the stat sheet with 16 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a team-best five assists.
Herring led the defense with 13 boards, four blocked shots and three steals. Brager scored eight points with two triples.
UP NEXT
The Warriors have a quick turnaround before a matchup with Montana Western on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Northwest Crossover Classic in Spokane.
Stay up to date with all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors.
