December 17, 2007

Men’s basketball team looks to bounce back

MEN’S BASKETBALL

A little more than a month ago, the Warrior men were 5-0 before suffering their first loss of the season in a tough 69-67 loss to Walla Walla University.

Since that time, both teams have been through some tough times. The Warriors have been banged up and are currently riding a three-game losing streak and stand 6-5 overall. Walla Walla University won the following night after beating LCSC, but has proceeded to lose its next nine games to stand at 3-12 on the season.

The Warriors will get a chance to avenge the earlier setback when the two teams meet again on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the LCSC Activity Center.

The earlier meeting came in Walla Walla during a tournament and the Wolves were able to outrebound the Warriors 32-20. LCSC also was just 1-of-14 from the 3-point line.

LCSC, which is 4-1 at home this season, is averaging 84.3 points per game this season. The 67 it scored against Walla Walla University was the third lowest of the season.

The Warriors’ woes, however, have been more on the defensive end of late as they try to get healthy. LCSC is giving up 71 points a game, but that average jumps to 91.3 points over the last three contests.

Senior forward Mike Gordy, a second-team NAIA All-American last season, continues to lead LCSC in scoring at 21.5 points per game and is second on the team in rebounding at 5.3 per outing. Jonathan Daly leads the Warriors in rebounding at 5.7.

LCSC has three players averaging in double figures. Following Gordy is Mikel Watson at 11.3 points per game, while Kasey Riley, who is currently out with a knee injury, is at 10.0 points per game. Justin Fraser is at 9.5 points.

The Warriors are hitting 48.8 percent of their shots from the field, but just 33.8 percent from the 3-point line. LCSC is holding opponents to 46.5 percent shooting from the field.

LCSC’s pressure defense has forced 275 turnovers this season for an average of 25 a game.

Following Wednesday, the Warriors won’t resume action until Dec. 28 and 29 when Thompson Rivers University of Kamloops, British Columbia, comes to Lewiston for a pair of games. LCSC and Thompson Rivers will meet at 7 p.m. on Dec. 28, and again at 2 p.m. on Dec. 29. Those games will wrap up the nonconference portion of the Warriors’ schedule.

LCSC will open defense of its Frontier Conference title on Jan. 5 in Salt Lake City against Westminster. 

FRONTIER CONFERENCE STANDINGS – Westminster 8-2, Carroll 10-3, Montana State-Northern 9-3, Rocky Mountain 9-3, LCSC 6-5, Montana Western 6-7, Montana Tech 4-8, Great Falls 3-6.