LCSC men crank up the offense to roll in season opener 115-65 

10-26-07

Under coach Tim Walker, the Lewis-Clark State College men’s basketball team has a reputation for defense. If the 2007-08 season opener is any indication, the Warriors’ offense just might give the defense a run for its money. 

With five players scoring in double figures and shooting 55.5 percent from the field, the Warriors had little trouble in rolling over Malaspina University of Canada 115-65 at Clarkston High School’s Kramer Gym on Friday night. 

The Warriors made it look easy, rolling early behind the inside play of Mike Gordy and some easy transition baskets. After Mariners tried to take away LCSC’s inside game, the Warriors showed their outside shooting touch. 

LCSC’s defense, however, also made a strong statement. The Warriors forced 40 turnovers in the contest, including 22 on steals. Malaspina did manage to score 40 points in the second half, but the game had already been decided because LCSC led 60-25 by halftime. 

Gordy, who was the Frontier Conference’s co-Player of the Year and a second team NAIA All American last year, scored a game-high 22 points. The 6-foot-5 senior forward was 9-of-12 from the field and also was the game’s leading rebounder with seven. He added three assists and four steals. 

Newcomers Dorian Watson, Mikel Watson, Brian Duckworth, and Kasey Riley also finished in double figures. Dorian Watson had 20 points, Duckworth had 12, and Riley finished with 10. The three were teammates last year at Sheridan Junior College in Wyoming. Mikel Watson, a transfer from Utah State, finished with 16 points. 

Justin Fraser, playing for the Warriors for the first time in two seasons, returned to his former high school and found he still had the touch. He finished with nine points, all on 3-pointers, while Max Papendieck also had nine points for LCSC. 

The Warriors finished 14-of-29 from the 3-point arc. Mikel Watson was 4-of-6 from the 3-point line, while Fraser was 3-of-5.  

LCSC also had a 37-27 rebounding edge and had 22 assists in the game, led by Riley with five. Jon Daley had four of LCSC’s five blocked shots. 

Ryan Davidson finished in double figures for Malaspina with 11 points. 

The two teams square off again today at 2 p.m. at Kramer Gym. The two games are being played at Clarkston because the LCSC Activity Center is being used for the Idaho State Class 1A high school volleyball tournament.