LEWISTON, Idaho – Donte Archie scored seven points and Darin Stewart had five during a critical stretch late in the game and the Lewis-Clark State College men’s basketball team grabbed a season-high 22 offensive rebounds to defeat Carroll College 68-60 in Frontier Conference play at the LCSC Activity Center on Saturday night.

Archie and Stewart combined for 12 points during a 17-4 run late in the game to help LCSC turn a 51-47 deficit at the 7:34 mark into a 64-55 lead with less than a minute remaining. It was just the opposite of what happened in two previous league contests for the Warriors when opponents were able to use big second-half runs to collect wins.

LCSC, 13-5 overall and 2-2 in league, wouldn’t be denied this time. Archie, a junior guard, hit four free throws and a big 3-pointer that gave LCSC a 57-53 lead. Stewart scored the first five points of the LCSC run with a layin and a 3-pointer, which put the Warriors ahead for good.

“It wasn’t pretty but we found a way to win,” LCSC coach Brandon Rinta said. “You have to give Carroll credit. They were down some players but came out and played hard.”

The Saints, who were missing four players because of injuries and academic suspensions, couldn’t keep up with the Warriors at the end and fell to 0-3 in league play and 8-7 overall.

Carroll managed to stay close despite getting abused on the boards. The Warriors outrebounded the Saints 43-28 and had more offensive rebounds (22) than defensive ones (21). That helped LCSC to an 18-4 scoring advantage on second-chance points.

“To get an offensive rebound means you have to miss a shot and we were very good at that tonight,” Rinta said. “But we battled hard.”

The Warriors finished the game 22-of-62 from the field for 35.5 percent, including a 6-of-26 effort at the 3-point line for 23.1 percent. Carroll shot a much higher percentage at 46.5 percent, but took 19 less shots because of the offensive rebounds. The Saints were 20-of-43 from the field.

Rinta was especially pleased with the Warriors’ perimeter defense. Carroll entered the game as one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the NAIA, but went just 3-of-13.

“We took away the 3 and neutralized their outside game early,” Rinta said.

Steward led LCSC with 17 points and six rebounds, while Archie added 12 points, seven assists and five boards. PJ Bolte added 16 points and eight boards.

Andy Garland led Carroll with 23 points and nine boards.

LCSC led early in the contest, but Carroll took its first lead about midway through the first half. The Saints held the advantage until Stewart knocked down a 3-pointer right before the buzzer to give the Warriors a 32-29 lead at intermission.

The second half also was a see-saw contest. LCSC led by as much as five twice before Carroll opened up its four point lead. The Saints, however, scored only one field goal and two free throws during the critical stretch when the Warriors took control.

LCSC will be back in action Thursday night when it entertains Westminster at 7:30 p.m. at the Activity Center.