LCSC women turn up the heat to force 49 turnovers in season-opening win

10-26-07

Forcing 49 turnovers with a swarming defense, the Lewis-Clark State College women’s basketball team kicked off its season by thumping the University of British Columbia-Okanagan 96-46 at Clarkston High School’s Kramer Gym on Friday night. 

The Warriors forced 30 turnovers in the first half alone when they raced out to a 50-20 lead over the Canadian visitors, who fall to 4-4 on the season. 

LCSC used a variety of defenses, including full-court pressure and a variety of traps, but did most of its damage just by jumping into the passing lanes and deflecting passing. The Warriors had 24 steals in the game, including five apiece from Katie Hart and Breianna Gaines. 

The turnovers caused all sorts of the problems for the Lakers. UBC-Okanagan attempted only 24 shots in the game, had 36 rebounds, and 46 points, all totals less than its turnover total. 

The Warriors, who had all 10 players see between 18-22 minutes of action, had little trouble once they got rolling about five minutes into the game. LCSC had 87 shots from the field, compared to 34 for the Lakers, and also had 27 assists on 35 baskets with only 16 turnovers. 

LCSC put five players in doubles figures. Junior Kim Preston led all scorers with 15 points, all on 3-pointers. Mandy Troutt added 13, while Jade Fulbright and Lacie Titmus had 11 each, and Madison Mendezona added 10. Every Warrior had at least six points and nine of the 10 had at least one rebound and one assist. 

Titmus and Sadie Short, both junior college transfers making their first appearances as Warriors, tied for game-high rebounding honors with eight apiece. Troutt and Vanessa West added five. Gaines added six assists, while Fulbright had five. 

For the game, the Warriors were 35-of-87 from the field, 40.2 percent, and 8-of-27 from the 3-point line, 29.6 percent. The Lakers were 13-of-34 for 38.2 percent from the field, and 3-of-6 from the 3-point arc. 

The two teams play against Saturday at noon, also at Clarkston High’s Kramer Gym. The two games are being held in Clarkston because the LCSC Activity Center is being used for the Idaho State Class 1A high school volleyball tournament.