From the Lewiston Tribune, published on March 4, 2007 

BUTTE, Mont. -- Lewis-Clark State finished with a flurry, claiming a title and in process hopefully a little more national regard.

Storming back from a 14-point deficit in the final eight minutes, the Warriors overtook Westminster 63-61 on Saturday night in the championship game of the Frontier Conference men's basketball tournament.

Chris Pitts' layin off a feed from Teran Lee with three-tenths of a second remaining won it for L-C, which will return to the NAIA Division I national tournament after a one-year absence.

That, however, was a given before the conference tournament even began. L-C, ranked 16th nationally, was guaranteed at least an at-large berth.

But three wins here and the FC's automatic berth to nationals could well move the Warriors (26-6) up among the seeds, which go to the top half of the 32-team field.

"It definitely should help," said L-C coach Tim Walker, noting that the seeding process will take place after the list of competitors is released early this week. "I think we've made a pretty good statement for ourselves."

The Warriors' determination emerged down the stretch Saturday, allowing them erase a Westminster lead that stood at 58-44 with 7:55 to play.

Walker said a defensive switch keyed the surge. L-C scrapped its man-to-man scheme in favor of a zone, and the change disrupted Westminster's offensive flow.

The Warriors made their move on the strength of their high-yield motion offense and free-throw efficiency. They went 14-of-15 from the line, including 11-for-12 in the second half.

L-C took the lead with about 1 1/2 minutes remaining, but Westminster (20-11) tied things 61-all on a Danny Stosich free throw with 14 seconds to play.

After a timeout, the Warriors inbounded the ball to Lee, who made his move with about five seconds left. Driving into the key, he drew two defenders, then dished the ball to Pitts on the block for the basket.

Westminster got the timeout, but an errant inbounds gave possession back to L-C. The Warriors inbounded without incident as the clock expired.

Mike Gordy, around whom the second-half rally was based, led L-C with 18 points. Pitts added 12.

Stosich topped Westminster with 15.

"After not playing well (in the first half), we showed a lot of guts and character in putting ourselves in position to win this game," Walker said. "I'm super proud of the kids, and I think it's going to pay off for them."

The national tournament will take place at Kansas City, Mo., beginning March 14.

WESTMINSTER (20-11)

Reeder 3-8 4-4 10, Holcombe 3-5 1-2 8, Jacobs 4-14 0-0 10, Stosich 6-12 3-4 15, Sanchez 3-9 3-3 9, Thompson 0-1 0-0 0, Brown 0-0 0-0 0, Barton 3-3 0-0 6, Gregory 1-1 1-1 3. Totals 23-53 12-14 61.

LEWIS-CLARK STATE (26-6)

Scarbrough 1-2 0-0 3, Gordy 8-15 2-3 18, Pitts 5-11 2-2, 12, Gordon 1-4 4-4 6, Lee 2-5 2-2 6, Thompson 2-3 1-1 5, Tikker 2-5 3-3 7, Comer 2-5 0-0 6, Daly 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-51 14-15 63.

Halftime -- Westminster 32-30. 3-point goals -- Westminster 3-13 (Holcombe 1-2, Jacobs 2-11), Lewis-Clark State 3-9 (Scarbrough 1-2, Comer 2-4, Gordon 0-2, Lee 0-1). Fouled out -- none. Rebounds -- Westminster 35 (Stosich 10), Lewis-Clark State 25 (Gordy 6, Pitts 6, Gordon 6). Assists -- Westminster 9 (Reeder 4), Lewis-Clark State 8 (Gordy 3). Total fouls -- Westminster 16, Lewis-Clark State 14.