LAS VEGAS – The Lewis-Clark State College women’s basketball team capped the three-day Las Vegas Shootout by grinding out a 76-65 win over the University of Lethbridge on Friday afternoon. The Warriors went a perfect 3-0 in the eight-team tournament and now stand at 14-1 overall.
Playing on three consecutive days, against three competent opponents, and with a roster of just nine active players, the Warriors knew Friday’s game would be a test of the team’s durability. Despite showing signs of failing the test early on, LCSC recovered and found a way to get the win.
“We just came out with no energy,” said LCSC head coach Brian Orr. “We were behind most of the first half, and then our bench came in and saved us.”
Lewis-Clark State, picked as the favorite to win the Frontier Conference title, would have trailed at the half if not for a 35-foot buzzer beater by Tanis Fuller to put the Warriors in front 36-35.
Fuller’s shot at the horn was just one of many examples on the day of how the Warrior bench stepped up when the team needed it most.
“Tanis came in right away and made a couple energy plays,” said Orr. “And both Annie Kane and Tasha Bishop hit big baskets that helped us.”
Jasmine Stohr led the Warriors with 24 points, however, foul troubled limited her minutes on the floor and forced her teammates to continue the offensive charge.
Kirsi Voshell finished with 12 points and eight rebounds, Brittaney Niebergall had 12 points and five rebounds, and Alyssa Fierro had 11 points and six rebounds. Coming off the bench, Bishop added seven points and Kane and Fuller had five apiece.
Both teams had 37 rebounds each, however, the Warriors led 43.6 to 36.7 in shooting percentage and had a 29-20 edge in points scored in the paint.
Lethbridge went 7-of-26 and LCSC 3-of-12 from 3-point territory, while the Warriors had a big advantage in points at the foul line making 25-of-29 attempts to Lethbridge’s 14-of-21.
Lethbridge, a school located in Lethbridge, Alberta, was led by Kim Veldman and Taal Lauren who had 13 points and four rebound apiece. Ali Cameron added 11 points.
“We came out flat again in the second half, and threw the ball away a couple times, but we did a better job of defending,” said Orr. “It wasn’t pretty, but we hung on and found a way to win.”
Up next on the Warriors’ slate is the Frontier Conference season opener in Dillon, Mont., against Montana Western on Jan. 6.
