Biola Upsets LCSC, 90-87

LEWISTON,ID--The Biola University Eagles came into Warrior Gymnasium and upset sixth-ranked Lewis-Clark State College, 90-87, in the championship game of the Banner Bank/Howard Johnson Tournament, Saturday night.

Biola (2-0) was led by tournament MVP Allison Box’ double-double of 29 points and ten rebounds. She made 10-of-15 field goals, and sank five treys. Heidi Ploog added 19 points and All-Tournament member, Sarah Baird, tallied 16 points and seven rebounds.

All-Tournament selection Brianne Kottwitz poured home a career-high 29 points in the losing effort for the Warriors (1-1). Katarina Gabaniova scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds while L-C’s other All-Tournament honoree, Shannon Russel and Shanta Coleman each registered eleven points.

This was Lewis-Clark State’s first home loss since the 2000 Frontier Conference Tournament Championship Game against Western Montana, March 4th. It was the last regular season home loss since a 74-56 set back to Simon Fraser, December 18th, 1998. The loss snaps a 32-game home regular season winning streak dating back to the game against Simon Fraser.

The Warriors led by as many as 16 points in the first half, and led by ten at the break. But a 17-6 run in the early part of the second half put Biola ahead, capped by a 3-pointer from Floog. Biola would then lose the lead for about three minutes, but Sarah Baird sank a pair of free throws to put the Eagles ahead to stay.

Box score vs. Biola

In the early game, 20th-ranked Concordia (1-1) downed Westminster College (0-3), 82-68. Amanda Tweedy, an All-Tournament selection, recorded a double-double, posting 28 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. Niecee Madrigal added 21 points for the Cavaliers. All-Tournament Team member Rebekah Steenblik poured in 31 points and grabbed 13 boards in a losing cause for the Lady Griffins. Rachael Patterson added 16 points for Westminster.

All-Tournament Team: Rebekah Steenblik, Westminster College; Amanda Tweedy, Concordia University; Sarah Baird, Biola University; Brianne Kottwitz and Shannon Russel, Lewis-Clark State College. The Tournament MVP: Allison Box, Biola University.