Balanced attack helps LCSC women over Pacific 84-50

11-16-07

Lacie Titmus led a balanced scoring attack with a game-high 17 points while Mandy Troutt added a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds to help the Lewis-Clark State College women’s basketball team roll past Pacific University of Oregon 84-50 in the opening round of the Staples Classic at the LCSC Activity Center on Friday. 

In the other first-round matchup, Westminster College rolled past Walla Walla University 68-38. 

The Classic continues today with a pre-determined schedule so that the two Frontier Conference schools, Westminster and LCSC, don’t play each other. Westminster, 4-0 overall, will take on Pacific, 0-1, at 4 p.m., while LCSC, 3-2, meets Walla Walla University, 2-6, at 6 p.m. 

Against Pacific, the Warriors snapped their two-game losing streak by using a sizable height advantage to control the board and gain several second and third shot opportunities.  Pacific, located in Forest Grove, Ore., had only two players taller than 5-foot-7, while LCSC has only one player shorter than 5-8. 

As expected, the Warriors tried to exploit Pacific inside early, but the shots wouldn’t fall. LCSC missed early around the basket and it took 3-point shooting from Jade Fulbright, Kim Preston, and Madison Mendezona to help LCSC grab a 28-12 lead. In fact, LCSC hit 5 3-pointers during the first 13 minutes of the game and had seven more points at the foul line. That left only three buckets from inside the arc, and just two inside of 10 feet. 

Sadie Short and Troutt then warmed up and helped LCSC to a 41-22 halftime advantage, and then two hit consecutive shots to open the second half to help LCSC roll to the win. 

Warrior coach Brian Orr said he was happy with the Warriors’ effort, but thought the team missed too many shots and gave up too many baskets by defenders being beaten off the dribble on drives to the basket. 

Titmus did most of her damage midway through the second half. She hit four free throws in the opening half and added 13 points in the final 20 minutes, hitting 6-of-12 shots from the field. Troutt finished 6-of-16, but was joined in double figures by Short and Fulbright, who finished with 11 each. Short also added eight rebounds, while Vanessa West finished with eight points and nine boards. 

In all, LCSC had a 54-31 rebounding advantage and grabbed 26 offensive rebounds. The Warriors also forced 26 turnovers, but committed 21 themselves. 

For the game, Pacific was 19-of-55 from the field for 34.5 percent, while LCSC was 30-of-72 for 41.7 percent. The Warriors also were 7-of-19 from the 3-point line, 36.8 percent.