Lewiston, Idaho – A 22-2 run that spanned the first nine minutes of the game gave the No. 5 Lewis-Clark State Men’s Basketball team the momentum to claim its second straight win over Yellowstone Christian in the Activity Center on Saturday. It was a combined team effort, with every Warriors scoring in the contest. Damek Mitchell led the was with 18 points, followed by Trystan Bradley with 16. Both seniors drained four 3-pointers, with Bradley going a perfect 4-for-4.
“It was a good win for our guys tonight,” Head Coach Austin Johnson said. “It was really a team win where everyone got involved and had positive moments. Our seniors have been great at setting the tone and the new guys have filled in well so far. We still have a long way to go but we’re so thankful to our administration and athletic department for helping us have these opportunities.”
Bradley opened the contest with a quick basket 20 seconds in. Yellowstone Christian answered a minute later, but a triple from Bradley sparked a 20-point run for LC State that had the Warriors leading 22-2 at the 11:07 mark.
The Warrior defense held the Centurions to single-digits through the first 14 minutes of the game, and a basket by Khalil Stevenson gave LC State the largest lead of the half, 27 points (37-10) with 5:03 to play. Oreon Courtney found the basket in the final 20 seconds to send the Warriors to the locker room leading 47-20.
Bradley led the Warriors in the first half with 11 points, and Mitchell added 10.
Yellowstone Christian hit a 3 to start the second half, and LC State answered with a 12-point run. Mitchell sparked the rally and a basket by Country on an assist from Brock Henry put the Warriors in front 59-23 at 15:17. A 3-pointer by Hodges Bailey started another run of 12 that was capped by free throws by Will Abram and a triple by Henry to make it 93-46 in the final three minutes. Brennen Newsom hit back-to-back baskets off assists from Henry and Silas Bennion, and Sam Stockton finished the game with a free throw to make it 98-49.
Mitchell led the Warriors with 18 points and shot 7-for-9 from the floor, including 4-for-5 from 3. Bradley tallied 16 points and was 4-for-4 from 3-point range. Courtney posted 14 points off the bench, and Henry added 10. Bailey was also in double-digits with 11 points. Travis Yenor led the defense with six rebounds, Bennion dished out five assists, Abram had two blocks and Country and Jake Albright each had two steals.
“We came out in the first game a little nervous, but in the second came we played with more confidence and togetherness,” Courtney said. “Our seniors are very vocal and they help us out a lot. It’s really helpful for the younger guys to have the seniors there to help us out a lot.”
LC State shot 60 percent from the field (36-for-60) and 50 percent from behind the 3-point line (13-for-26). They went 13-for-19 from the foul line. 40 of the Warriors’ 98 points came off the bench, and the defense held the Centurions to a 30.9 percent shooting percentage from the field. Only one Yellowstone Christian player scored in double-figures.