Hitting a season high of 12 three-pointers and a season-best 64.4 percent from the field, the Lewis-Clark State College men’s basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak by thumping Walla Walla University 81-48 in a nonleague matchup at the LCSC Activity Center on Wednesday night. 

The contest was a stark contrast from their Nov. 9 meeting in Walla Walla when the Wolves handed the Warriors their first loss of the season with a 69-67 triumph. In that game, LCSC was 1-of-14 from the 3-point line. 

On Wednesday, the Warriors were 12-of-21 on 3-pointers for 57.1 percent, and 29-of-45 overall from the field.  LCSC shot 68 percent from the field in the second half and sent fans home happy with a coupon for a free hamburger at a local restaurant for making more than nine 3-pointers in a game. 

For Walla Walla, things haven’t been the same since the win over LCSC. The loss was the 10th straight for the Wolves, who are now 3-13 overall. LCSC is 7-5. 

Even with the impressive offensive numbers, LCSC coach Tim Walker was more satisfied with the Warriors’ defense. LCSC held Walla Walla to just 17-of-48 shooting from the field, 35.4 percent, and also forced 20 turnovers in the contest. 

The Wolves had a rough go early as Brett Weisner scored 13 points during a 10-plus minute stretch while the rest of the team went scoreless. He had 13 of the team’s first 15 points. LCSC then closed the first half with a 15-3 run to take a 37-19 lead at halftime. 

Walla Walla twice cut the lead to 17 early in the second half, but the Warriors pulled away with their hot shooting. LCSC led by as much as 38 in the second half. 

Junior guard Brian Duckworth, who had missed the three previous games with an injury, showed he’s back as he tied senior forward Mike Gordy with 19 points. The two combined to go 14-of-17 from the field. Duckworth was 7-of-9, including a 5-of-6 performance at the 3-point line. Gordy was 7-of-8 and also added three 3-pointers.  Gordy also led the Warriors with eight rebounds. 

Mikel Watson also finished in double figures for LCSC with 12 points. 

Weisner led all scores with 22 points and also had a team-high five rebounds. 

The Warriors will now break for the holidays before resuming practice after Christmas to prepare for two games against Thompson Rivers University of Kamloops, British Columbia. The two teams will meet at 7 p.m. on Dec. 28, and then at 2 p.m. on Dec.29, both at the LCSC Activity Center. The two games will wrap up the nonconference portion of LCSC’s schedule.