Women push aside Western; Haerling's career-high 30 points helps L-C get back on track, 74-68

BY MATT BANEY OF THE LEWISTON MORNING TRIBUNE

As majestic as it is, Nikki Haerling's high-arcing shot must not fly so true in Montana. Of course, what aspect of the Lewis-Clark State women's basketball team doesn't suffer once the club crosses the Bitterroots?

It's at their increasingly friendly Activity Center where the Warriors are their sharpest. They recovered from an 0-for-2 road trip with a 74-68 win on Thursday over Montana-Western, the Warriors' most ardent Frontier Conference rival.

And it was Haerling who led the way. The 5-foot-7 junior guard pumped in 30 points -- her best showing in an LCSC uniform -- which included 24 in the second half.

The Warriors took the lead nine minutes into the game and never relinquished it. But they had to fend off rallies from the Bulldogs, who cut a 16-point deficit down to four.

Haerling usually had the answer. She planted 4 of 5 tries from 3-point range and, in the final minute, went 5-for-6 from the line.

Her outside heaves were all similarly grand: They soared so high, they nearly touched the ceiling. Why does she do that?

"Everyone always asks me that," said Haerling, who transferred to L-C during the offseason, "and I don't even pay any attention to it. I didn't even realize how I shoot it. ... They call it the skyball."

"She's feeling it right now," Warriors coach Brian Orr said of Haerling. "She is really confident out there, and you could just see it in her play tonight. She just put us on her shoulders and we rode her."

LCSC (15-7, 4-2) dipped out of the NAIA's top 25 this week, but stayed in the race for the conference title with this victory. UMW, the league's preseason favorite, slipped to 15-6 and 3-3.

Before Haerling stole the show, this game looked to be a showdown in the paint. The Bulldog tandem of Jill Feller (6-3) and Katherine Sunwall (6-0) was effective, as they combined for 27 points, 18 rebounds and nine blocks.

While LCSC post Ashley Baker mustered a pedestrian eight-point, nine-board night, her backup, Leah McCauley, scored 12 points off the bench. Senior forward Kendra West also hashed out nine points and 11 rebounds.

The Warriors will face Montana Tech on Saturday. After that, L-C will play just two more games at the Activity Center this season.

"I would have to say we definitely play better at home," Haerling said, "but we have to be able to win on the road. It's something we're still determined to do; we're going to get some wins on the road."

NOTES -- The difference between the Warriors at home and on the road in conference games is remarkable. With Thursday's doubleheader figured in, the L-C men and women are a combined 8-0 at the Activity Center ... and 1-3 away.

MONTANA-WESTERN (15-6, 3-3)

Taylor 4-6 5-6 14, Sunwall 4-9 2-3 10, Feller 7-14 3-6 17, Matter 0-2 2-2 2, Schmitz 3-11 3-4 11, Scott 0-3 0-0 0, Sullivan 1-3 0-0 3, Suhr 2-3 1-2 7, Kennedy 2-4 0-0 4. Totals 23-55 16-23 68.

LEWIS-CLARK STATE (15-7, 4-2)

Kalbfleisch 0-5 1-2 1, K. West 4-11 1-2 9, Baker 3-9 2-5 8, Haerling 9-16 8-8 30, Fulbright 1-5 2-2 4, Hart 1-4 1-1 3, Wittmer 1-3 0-0 3, Yancheva 0-2 2-2 2, Boggs 0-0 0-0 0, V. West 1-3 0-0 2, McCauley 6-10 0-0 12. Totals 26-68 17-22 74.

Halftime score -- LCSC 29, UMW 22. Three-point goals -- UMW 6-21 (Taylor 1-2, Feller 0-1, Matter 0-2, Schmitz 2-8, Scott 0-3, Sullivan 1-2, Suhr 2-3); LCSC 5-12 (Kalbfleisch 0-2, Haerling 4-6, Hart 0-1, Wittmer 1-2, Yacheva 0-1). Rebounds -- UMW 34 (Sunwall 11); LCSC 48 (K. West 11). Assists -- UMW 14 (Feller, Schmitz 3); LCSC 14 (Haerling 5). Total fouls -- UMW 18; LCSC 20. Fouled out -- Matter. Technical fouls -- none.

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Baney may be contacted at mbaney@lmtribune.com