Warriors dominate every phase to thump Walla Walla U. 105-39

11-17-07

Recording 37 offensive rebounds which led to 99 field goal attempts in the game, the Lewis-Clark State College women’s basketball team had little trouble with disposing of Walla Walla University 105-39 in the Staples Classic at the LCSC Activity Center on Saturday. 

The victory improved the Warriors to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the tournament. Westminster also finished 2-0 in the tournament by holding off Pacific University of Forest Grove, Ore., 66-61 in Saturday’s other contest. Westminster is 5-0 overall, Walla Walla University is 2-7, and Pacific is 0-2 on the season. 

LCSC used its height advantage and strength inside to dominate the board. LCSC outrebounded Walla Walla University, a Seventh-day Adventist school, 63-34. That meant LCSC had more offensive rebounds than Walla Walla had total rebounds. 

“That’s both good and bad,” LCSC coach Brian Orr said, smiling about the number of offensive rebounds, which were caused because LCSC missed shots. 

Still, the Warriors were 42-of-99 from the field, 42.4 percent, but just 3-of-24 from the 3-point arc. 

On the other end, the Warriors gave Walla Walla fits with its pressure defense. The Wolves committed 46 turnovers in the contest and the Warriors collected 32 steals in the game, including seven by senior guard Katie Hart. Jade Fulbright added six and Sadie Short recorded five. 

LCSC held Walla Walla to just one 3-point field goal and a free throw for the first seven minutes of the game to roll out to a 23-4 lead. The advantage climbed to 54-17 by halftime and then LCSC went on a 24-0 run early in the second half for an 80-19 lead. 

Senior post Mandy Troutt recorded her second double-double of the tournament and was named the MVP of the Classic. Trout finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and three steals one night after she 12 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots. 

Short and Fulbright also were on the all-tournament team. Short had 15 points, nine rebounds, and two assists, while Fulbright had 13 points, two assists and four board. They were joined on the all-tournament team by Janae Hirschi of Westminster, Amy Pedersen of Pacific, and Alexis Glassman of Walla Walla. 

LCSC had four players in double figures as 10 of its 11 players finished with at least five points. Breianna Gaines had 16 points and six boards, while Lacie Titmus finished with eight points and 11 rebounds.  Madison Mendezona, the only Warriors not to score, had five assists, a steal and five rebounds as the backup point guard. 

Karen Wheeler led Walla Walla with 13 points, while Glassman added 10. 

The Warriors return to action on Tuesday at Whitworth in Spokane for a 7 p.m. contest, and then head to California to face Concordia next Saturday and Menlo College next Sunday. The Warriors play their next five games on the road before returning home to play host to the Wells Fargo Invitational on Dec. 7-8.