CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Lewis-Clark State College’s Women’s Basketball team was named the Under Armour Team of the Week for March 9 – March 15, the Cascade Collegiate Conference announced Sunday.
Lewis-Clark State earned the honors after advancing to the final site of the NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship with two victories in the national tournament opening rounds.
The Warriors began the week with a first-round win over Hope International, pulling away in the second half after a tightly contested opening. Lewis-Clark State erased a halftime tie with a strong third-quarter surge and closed out the game at the free-throw line. Payton Hymas led all scorers with a career-high 25 points, while Sitara Byrd posted a double-double with 14 points and a career-best 15 rebounds. The Warriors dominated the glass 45-32 and forced 21 turnovers to secure the 74-65 win.
LC State followed with a 79-67 victory over Montana Tech in the second round to clinch a berth at the NAIA final site in Sioux City, Iowa. Byrd delivered a standout performance with 26 points and a career-high 17 rebounds, while Hymas added 20 points and Kendall Wallace contributed 17. Defensively, Darian Herring added 12 rebounds and eight blocked shots, tying the program’s single-game record. The Warriors shot efficiently and controlled the game down the stretch, using a strong fourth quarter and consistent free-throw shooting to seal the victory.
With the two wins, Lewis-Clark State advances to the NAIA Round of 16, where the Warriors will face Bethel (Tenn.) in Sioux City, Iowa on Friday, March 20.