LEWISTON, Idaho -- Again coming with a solid defensive effort that held Vanguard University's fast-paced offense in check, the Lewis-Clark State College men's basketball team remained undefeated on the young season with a 70-63 win over the Lions in the LC Invitational at Lewiston High School's Booth Hall on Saturday night.
The Warriors, 4-0, held the upper hand in the close battle and kept the Vanguard offense under control with its pressure man-to-man defense.
Vanguard, 0-2, shot onlyh 24-of-58 from the field for 41.4 percent, including just 3-of-15 from the 3-point line, 20 percent.
The Warriors led 34-32 at halftime, but Vanguard was able to hit a 3-pointer to start the second half for its final lead. The contest was tied at 40 when the Warriors went on a key 10-0 run, including the final four points from Markus Monroe.
Vanguard went almost eight minutes scoreless from the field, relying only on a pair of free throws. That helped LCSC maintain a double-digit lead. Although Vanguard cut the margin to five, the final one time at 60-55 with 3:49 left.
Monroe, however, answered with LCSC's next seven points, including five at the foul line, to put the margin at 67-59 with 1:37 left. Vanguard could get no closer than six the rest of the way.
Monroe, a junior guard, again led the Warriors in scoring with 20 points, but was only 5-of-16 from the field. Senior foward Tanner McIntosh finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Terrell Wallace added 10 points.
LCSC shot 43.8 percent from the field, 28-of-64, but held a 41-32 rebounding edge and held Vanguard to only five offensive rebounds.
LCSC returns to action in another tournament, this one at the College of Idaho in Caldwell, next Friday and Saturday. The Warriors play the host Coyotes on Friday at 7 p.m., and then play Northwest Unversity on Saturday at 5 p,.m.
