Baker paces No. 2 ranked Warrior women to 68-64 win

2-8-07 

Senior post Ashley Baker (shown in the photo) scored 23 points and grabbed a season-high 18 rebounds to help the Lewis-Clark State College women’s basketball team to its 15th straight victory, a 68-64 triumph over Montana State University-Northern in a Frontier Conference contest at the LCSC Activity Center on Thursday night. 

Baker, who is making a solid run for the conference’s Player of the Year honor, hit 8-of-18 shots from the field and 7-of-9 free throws. She also had a season-high seven offensive rebounds and added two steals and a blocked shot to help the Warriors, ranked No. 2 in the NAIA, improve to 23-1 overall and a perfect 9-0 in conference play. 

With the Warriors playing their second game without senior forward Aundrea Morrison, who suffered a season-ending knee injury, Baker took over inside and had a double-double by halftime with 15 points and 12 rebounds in the first half. Her play helped LCSC grab a 40-33 rebounding edge, including 19 offensive rebounds. 

The Warriors needed those second and third opportunities. Even though LCSC took 16 more shots from the field, it only made two more baskets than the Skylights, which was the difference in the game. LCSC finished 24-of-66 from the field, 36.4 percent, and was just 5-of-24 from the 3-point line. MSU-Northern was 22-of-50 from the field and 4-of-11 at the 3-point line. 

MSU-Northern, now 15-9 overall and 4-6 in conference play, actually led for most of the first half before a 3-point basket by Katya Yancheva made it 35-33. The Skylights tied it at 35-35 at halftime. 

The Warriors gained the upper hand in the second half with Janeen Nelson scoring 11 of her 17 points in the final 20 minutes. The Warriors led by as much as 10 with 5:20 left, but MSU-Northern hit six consecutive free throws to make it a three-point game. Nelson countered with two free throws to put the game out of reach. 

Mandy Troutt added five points, five rebounds and three assists for the Warriors, who received solid play from their bench and received high praise for LCSC coach Brian Orr. 

DeLayne Johnston had 20 points and nine rebounds to pace the Skylights, while Chelsie Searle added 12 points.  

Both teams are back in action Saturday. MSU-Northern continues its road trip by playing Westminster, while LCSC will play host to Great Falls at 6 p.m. at the LCSC Activity Center.