RIO GRANDE, OH – The No. 7 Warrior Women’s Basketball team earned its fifth straight victory of the season on Friday, despite a nine-point deficit against a physical (RV) Shawnee State (Ohio) team at the Bevo Francis Classic. LC State rallied for a 22-9 third quarter to battle back for a 71-70 win in Ohio.
“That could possibly have been the craziest game I have been a part of during my career,” coach Caelyn Orlandi said. “We fought adversity the whole game and battled through every single situation that was thrown at us. I knew this trip was going to be tremendously tough and it is great for our team to experience so early in the season.”
The Warriors had four score in double digits and saw a strong defensive effort in the second half. Sitara Byrd and Payton Hymas each tallied 16 points, while Darian Herring notched a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. LC State held SSU to just three field goals in a third quarter that proved to be the defining 10 minutes of the contest.
“I was so incredibly proud of our team and how they played basketball today,” Orlandi added. “I know we are so tough, we play the game the right way and respect the game fully. I love coaching this group and love what they represent every time they step on the court. I am so proud to be their coach.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Tatum Brager and Herring put up the first two baskets of the day for LC State, and a foul shot by Hymas had the score tied 5-5 three minutes into the game. Hymas tallied a pair of baskets for a 9-9 tie at 4:57, and Byrd added five points to keep pace. Baskets by Lindsey Wilson, Herring and Hymas kept the score knotted 21-21 after one quarter of play.
After a blocked shot by Herring, Wilson took the ball and converted a three-point play to give the Warriors a 24-21 edge in the second frame. A sharp-shooting Shawnee State team pulled ahead 37-31 and the Bears led 41-32 at the break.
Herring and Byrd combined for the first eight LC State points in the second half to cut the deficit to 43-40 at 6:43. SSU answered a 6-0 run by the Warriors with a triple to push the margin back to six points, but a layup by Hymas made it 46-42 at 6:08. Herring made it a two-point game at 5:42 and Hymas put LC State in front 47-46 with a 3-pointer at 3:46.
Free throws by Wilson stretched the advantage to 49-46 before a triple by Kendall Wallace made it 52-48 with 90 seconds left in the third quarter. Herring added a basket in the final seconds for a 53-50 edge.
After three offensive rebounds by LC State, Byrd put back a layup to start the final frame. A basket by Hymas and a 3 by Byrd pushed the LC State lead back out to 61-55. Shawnee made a push to cut the difference to one point with 3:20 left to play, but a clutch layup by Wilson gave the Warriors a three-point margin at 67-64.
With SSU within one, 67-66, with a minute to play, Wilson fought her way to another basket to keep LC State in front and free throws by Hymas had the lead at 71-68 with 12 seconds left on the clock. Shawnee State netted a layup in the final second, but it was not enough to overtake LC State.
STAT RECAP
Byrd and Hymas led the contest in scoring with 16 points each and Wilson added 13 points, four assists and four rebounds. Hymas dished out a game-high nine assists with three steals and Byrd grabbed seven boards.
Herring totaled 14 points, 12 rebounds, six blocks and four assists. Beardin tied her career high with six rebounds in the contest.
LC State shot 42.4% from the field and held Shawnee State to 38.6%.
“We had so many players step up during different times of the game and that is going to be a huge factor for us throughout the season,” Orlandi explained. “We have so many players that bring different skill sets to the court and I believe that was on display today. I thought we shared the ball well, I thought our bench was tremendous today, and overall, very proud of our efforts on the court.”
