LEWISTON, ID – Sophomore Dylan Skaife exploded for 19 points in the second half to help lead (RV) LC State past (RV) Eastern Oregon by a final of 77-73 on Saturday. The victory avenged the loss to the Mounties earlier this season and showcased the Warriors’ grit in a physical contest.
“Good bounce back win for the fellas,” coach Austin Johnson said. “Proud of them for how they responded after a tough loss last night. Josh’s (Salguero) physical presence was a difference for us and Dylan continues to take steps with an all-around game. We did just enough to win. Hopefully we can shore up some things and keep improving.”
The victory has the LC State record at 15-5 on the season and 9-3 in Cascade Conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Warriors held a slight scoring edge in each of the two halves. Josh Salguero scored the first seven points of the night for LC State, but EOU answered to pull in front 15-7 by 13:09. Free throws by Brandon Suber and a bucket by Trevor Manning kept the score close, but the Mounties surged again for a 19-11 lead at 10:10.
Suber and Manning combined for six points, both on and-1 plays, and tallies by Peyton Nordland and Jamare’ Childs had the Warriors within three, 24-21, at 7:50. A three-point play by Salguero and Skaife gave LC State a momentary 27-26 margin, and back-to-back triples by Dallon Morgan and John Lustig sent the Warriors into halftime with a 33-31 edge.
Morgan added another 3 to get the LC State offense going in the second half and points from Lustig kept the lead with the Warriors. Nordland hit a triple at 13:41 and Suber tallied five straight for LC State for a 49-46 lead at 10:48.
Skaife took over from there with 17 points in the final 10 minutes. With LC State down 50-49, he netted a 3-pointer then added free throws for a 54-51 edge. Seemingly each time EOU pulled within two, Skaife answered with a 3. The Mounties cut the difference to one, 72-71, with 90 seconds to play, but an and-1 by Suber and foul shots by Salguero closed out the night.
STAT RECAP
Skaife led all scorers with 22 points. He was 7-for-12 from the field and went 4-for-4 from 3-point range in the second half. Salguero added 12 points with nine rebounds. Skaife, Salguero and Lustig combined to go 10-for-10 from the free throw line.
Suber added 13 points with five free throws and five rebounds and Lustig grabbed five boards.
The Warriors shot 50% from the field and 45% from 3-point range with nine triples. LC State went 16-for-18 from the free throw line (88.9%).
James Bodily led EOU with 18 points and Porter Abrams grabbed nine rebounds.
