LEWISTON, Idaho – With three players scoring in double figures, the Lewis-Clark State College men’s basketball team enjoyed its most prolific night of the Frontier Conference season with an 87-72 win over Montana Tech at the LCSC Activity Center on Friday night.
The Warriors, 13-11 overall and 4-6 in conference play, previously had only scored more than 70 points twice during conference play but easily shattered their highest output and was just two points off of tying their highest score of the season.
LCSC was able to put up the big numbers by forcing a number of turnovers early and converting them into baskets. The Warriors also shot the ball well in claiming their second straight victory of the season.
LCSC forced 18 turnovers in the contest, which helped it to a 25-13 advantage in points off turnovers. LCSC forced eight turnovers in the first 10 minutes of the game, which helped it jump out to a 22-11 advantage.
The Warriors also hit 32-of-58 shots in the game for 55.2 percent and made 8-of-17 3-point shots for 47.1 percent accuracy. The eight 3-pointers are the second highest in a game this season for LCSC, which made nine in a loss to Wisconsin-Stout in late December.
Junior guard Marcus Monroe enjoyed a big night. He hit 8-of-10 shots from the field, including both of his 3-pointers, to finish with a game-high 22 points. He also had six rebounds, two assists and a steal. Senior forward Tanner McIntosh added 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting and also had two rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Senior guard Daniel Williams also was in double figures with 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting and also had four rebounds and two assists.
AJ Paine had 14 points to lead the Orediggers, now 9-18 overall and 2-8 in league play. Paine also had eight assists on the night. Teammates Dirk Anderson and Dean Colbray added 10 points apiece.
Montana Tech also shot the ball well as it made 27 of 55 shots for 49.1 percent. The Orediggers actually shot better than 60 percent inside the arc (21-of-33), but were only 6-of-22 from the 3-point line.
LCSC had a 31-24 rebounding advantage and a 36-24 scoring edge in points in the paint.
The Warriors got off to a solid start in the game, but Montana Tech scored 10 straight points to cut LCSC’s margin to 22-21. LCSC then built the lead back to seven points, but had to settle for a 37-34 halftime advantage.
In the second half, the Warriors started with a 7-2 run in the first two minutes and stretched it to a 17-4 run over five minutes for a 54-38 lead. Tech never got closer than 12 points the rest of the way.
LCSC will be back in action on Saturday when it plays host to Montana Western at 8 p.m. at the Activity Center. The contest will be the final regular season home game for LCSC and the Warriors will honor the team’s three seniors – Williams, McIntosh and James Craft.
