Warriors push winning streak to 17 games

 2-17-07 

BUTTE, Mont. -- The Lewis-Clark State women's lengthy winning streak has been aided by a variety of go-to performances.

Apparently, it was Vanessa West's turn to step up.

The junior forward from Jerome, Idaho, chucked in 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting to lead the second-ranked Warriors to a 76-63 victory over Montana Tech on Friday.

The win extends LCSC's spree to 17 games. The Warriors (25-1, 11-0) can capture at least a share of the Frontier Conference title with a victory over No. 7 Montana-Western tonight in Dillon.

LCSC led the Orediggers by four at halftime, then extended the margin to double digits early in the second half.

The Warriors jarred 31 turnovers from Tech, most of which came in the second half. Especially bothersome for the Orediggers were L-C's starting guards, Jade Fulbright and Katie Hart, who nabbed four steals apiece.

"Jade and Katie out on the top just dominated," LCSC coach Brian Orr said. "They just got steal after steal, and even when they didn't steal it, they got flicks."

The Warriors also got 14 points and four rebounds from Katya Yancheva and 13 points and four boards from Fulbright. Post Ashley Baker notched 10 points, five boards and two blocks.

All 10 L-C players scored at least three points.

Tech (15-10, 3-8) got 33 points from Spokane twins Rebecca and Angela Gimeno.

In tonight's contest with Western, the Warriors will be gunning for another victory -- and some revenge. Last season, the Bulldogs beat L-C in its regular-season home finale and forced the Warriors to share the FC title.

"I didn't even have to say anything and they were talking about payback," Orr said of his players.

"For us, it really isn't even about the conference championship," he added. "We just want to come out and play our very best basketball. These are the types of games that prepare you for the conference tournament and national tournament."

LEWIS-CLARK ST. (25-1, 11-0)

Hart 2-3 0-1 4, Baker 5-8 0-0 10, Yancheva 4-5 4-5 14, Nelson 2-8 0-1 4, Fulbright 4-11 5-6 13, Wittmer 2-7 0-0 4, Preston 2-7 0-0 6, West 7-8 1-1 15, Mendezona 1-1 0-0 3, Troutt 0-7 3-4 3. Totals 29-65 13-18 76.

MONTANA TECH (15-10, 3-8)

R. Gimeno 4-18 2-2 13, A. Gimeno 5-11 8-9 20, Thomas 4-7 3-3 11, Langford 0-0 0-0 0, Merrill 3-6 1-2 7, Todd 3-7 0-0 6, DePell 0-0 0-0 0, Devries 2-4 0-0 6, Roll 0-0 0-0 0, Tintzman 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-53 14-16 63.

Halftime -- LCSC 38, MT 34. Total fouls -- LCSC 17, MT 18. Fouled out -- none. Technical fouls -- none. Three-point goals -- LCSC 5-17 (Yancheva 2-2, Preston 2-5, Mendezona 1-1, Fulbright 0-1, Nelson 0-4, Wittmer 0-4), MT 7-19 (A. Gimeno 2-3, Devries 2-4, R. Gimeno 3-10, Thomas 0-2). Rebounds -- LCSC 35 (Mendezona 7), MT 37 (R. Gimeno 7). Assists -- LCSC 20 (Nelson 6), MT 18 (R. Gimeno 9).