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12/6/2024 | Alisha Alexander | LCSC Assistant Athletic Director-Sports Information

KIRKLAND, WA – No. 14 LC State Women’s Basketball improved to 7-0 to start the season behind a 97-47 victory over Northwest University (Wash.) on Friday. Every Warrior scored and grabbed a rebound in the contest that featured a dominant performance from LC State on both sides of the ball.

“Really loved the way we defended today and to force 34 turnovers and snag 21 steals was big for us,” Head Coach Caelyn Orlandi said. “We rotated well and got our hands on passes. When everyone gets a basket and a rebound it makes for a fun team win. I loved to see our freshmen in there making great plays. Our future is bright.”

The win improves the Warriors record to 2-0 in Cascade Conference play. LC State shot .541 from the floor and held the Eagles to .296 behind 34 forced turnovers and 21 steals.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Payton Hymas netted a pair of free throws after being fouled on the first possession before back-to-back 3-pointers by Sitara Byrd and a layup by Hymas had the score at 10-0 at 7:35. A steal by Ellie Sander led to a layup by Hymas to cap the 12-0 run after three minutes.

Darian Herring added a pair of blocked shots and three layups to keep the difference at nine points, 18-9, with 2:48 to play in the opening quarter. A free throw by Camden Barger and baskets by Tatum Brager and Byrd had LC State ahead 23-12 after 10 minutes.

Lindsey Wilson scored the first three points of the second frame with a free throw and layup. A basket by Brager made it 28-14 at 8:45. The Warriors went on a six-point run with tallies by Herring, Mataya Green and Brager for a 34-19 advantage at the 5:10 mark.

Herring answered Northwest baskets before a triple by Sander grew the advantage to 41-25 at 3:24. Ella Nelson, Hymas and Barger combined for seven straight points and a bucket by Wilson ended the first half with the Warriors in front 50-26.

Three steals, with one by Hymas and back-to-back by Byrd, led to three baskets to start the third frame. Herring, Byrd and Sander each scored on the defensive moves and a foul shot by Green made it seven straight LC State points to start the half. Free throws by Herring and a 3 by Hymas pushed the scoring run to 12 points, and a steal by Hymas led to a bucket by Sander to make it 14. Another steal by Hymas took Herring to the basket. After 16 straight Warriors points on five steals to start the quarter, the Warriors led 66-26 at 6:17.

Wilson put back an offensive board to keep the offensive onslaught going and a steal by Kendall Wallace took the freshman to the basket to cap the 20-point run. With 3:03 left in the third frame LC State led 70-26. Northwest scored its first points of the second half at 2:41.

Tessa Karlberg joined in on the scoring 20 seconds later, Barger hit a 3 and Wallace took another steal back to the basket to close out the quarter with the Warriors in front 77-34. LC State outscored Northwest 27-8 in the frame.

Karlberg scored and a 3 by Grace Beardin continued the momentum in the final 10 minutes. The Eagles struck for a pair of baskets before Brager hit a jumper. Bella Firnkoess scored her first basket as a Warrior, a 3-pointer, to grow the cushion to 87-39 with 7:06 to play. Keira O’Neill added her first collegiate field goal a minute later.

Karlberg, Nelson and O’Neill carried the offense in the final five minutes of the 97-47 victory.

STAT RECAP

Herring led all scorers with 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting from the floor. She also led LC State in rebounds (6) and blocked shots (3) to go with three assists. Hymas added 11 points on 3-for-4 shooting with four assists and five steals, while Byrd tallied 10 points with a game-high six steals to go with three assists and three boards. Sander led the game in assists with five along with seven points and four steals.

Every Warrior scored at least three points in the contest and grabbed at least one rebound. LC State shot .541 as a team with 24 assists on 40 made baskets. The defense was solid with 21 steals and held NU to .296 shooting from the floor. LC State allowed just three 3-pointers on 20 attempts (.150).

UP NEXT

The conference weekend continues on Saturday when the Warriors head to Olympia, Wash., to take on Evergreen State College (Wash.). Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.

Stay up to date with all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors.