LAS VEGAS – Surrendering only eight points in the first half, the Lewis-Clark State College women’s basketball team thumped Madonna University 66-34 at the Las Vegas Frontier Shootout on Thursday night. Senior Jasmine Stohr had a game-high 27 points.
“Our first half defense was unbelievable,” said LCSC head coach Brian Orr. “We contested every shot.”
The Warriors’ overpowering defense resulted in Madonna making just four field goals in the opening half. The score was 29-8 at the break.
Lewis-Clark State, now 13-1 on the year, had a somewhat rougher start on offense in the first half making just 25.6 percent of its shots, however, the Warriors found their touch as the game progressed.
“The second half we came alive offensively and really shot the ball well,” said Orr. “We also moved the ball extremely well.”
The Warriors shot 56-percent from the field in the second half to finish at 37.5-percent on the night. The Crusaders were held to just 23.3-percent overall.
Stohr paced the Warriors in scoring the second half and tied a season-high with four 3-pointers in six attempts overall.
“She had a couple great drives to the basket,” said Orr about how Stohr scored her points. “And, for whatever reason, they left her open in the corner a couple times.”
Along with Stohr, Kirsi Voshell had a big game, collecting 18 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. No other Warriors scored in double-digits, but Alyssa Fierro did reach double-digits in rebounds with 10.
LCSC had a 57-34 lead in rebounds, and a 13-6 advantage in steal. The Warriors were also on the better end of the turnover numbers, committing 17 turnovers to Madonna’s 19.
“Seventeen turnovers for us isn’t bad,” Orr said with a chuckle. “Brittaney [Niebergall] really attacked their press and went right through it and found open shooters.”
Stohr finished with five assists and four steals, and Niebergall had three assists and three steals. Niebergall, Voshell, and Annie Kane finished with seven rebounds apiece.
Madonna, an NAIA school out Livonia, Mich., was led by Kaylee McGrath who had 12 points and eight rebounds. The Crusaders fall to 5-8 with the loss.
The Warriors will play their third and final game of the three-day eight-team tournament on Friday at 3 p.m. against the University of Lethbridge. Lethbridge defeated Frontier Conference foe Great Falls 66-60 on Thursday.
