SIOUX CITY, IA – The 2025-26 LC State Women’s Basketball season came to an end on Friday in the NAIA Round of 16 at the hands of No. 3 Bethel (Tenn.). The No. 17 Warriors came out hot, but a potent Bethel scoring attack outlasted LC State by a final of 78-70. The Warriors end the season with a record of 25-9.
Senior Sitara Byrd notched a double-double in her final contest, and junior Tatum Brager’s sharp shooting kept the game within reach throughout.
“A great season for our team and they have nothing to hang their heads about,” coach Caelyn Orlandi said. “This team competed fiercely, loved each other, supported each other and represented Warrior Basketball to the best of their abilities. I’m thankful for the dedication and hard work every single player on this team provided. I’m blessed to have coached them this season.”
The contest marked the end of careers for Byrd, Payton Hymas, Camden Barger, Lindsey Wilson and Ella Nelson. The five impacted Warrior Basketball greatly during their four years.
“Our seniors are going to be greatly missed, and they have most definitely left this place better than they found it,” Orlandi added. “Their dedication to excellence has been phenomenal and not only are they exceptional student-athletes, but they are exceptional human beings as well. They have impacted my life in more ways than one and I hope their journey here has been wonderful and that the next steps in their life bring happiness and joy. Once a Warrior, always a Warrior.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Hymas put the first point of the game on the board with a free throw before a pair of 3-pointers by Kendall Wallace had the lead at 7-0 at 6:49. A basket by Brager grew the margin to 9-1. Bethel’s first field goal was a 3-pointer that was quickly matched by Brager, but the Wildcats rallied to cut the difference to 12-11 in the final minute. Hymas added a basket for a 14-11 advantage after 10 minutes.
Madalyn Green, Wallace and Byrd combined for seven points to grow the lead back to 21-15 by 7:40 in the second quarter. Bethel surged to take a 24-23 lead at 4:08 and stretched the difference to 33-23 by 1:01. Hymas netted a 3 to get the offense going for the Warriors. Byrd found the basket with eight seconds on the clock to cut the deficit to 33-28 at the half.
Bethel opened the third quarter on a seven-point run before Byrd got the Warriors on the board with a layup at 7:45. The Wildcats kept up their offensive pressure to pull ahead 44-30, but a pair of 3-pointers by Brager and a basket by Hymas kept the game within reach at 49-38. Brager stayed hot from 3 with another triple and back-to-back baskets by Green and Hymas made it a nine-point game, 54-45, at 4:16. Byrd tallied five straight LC State points and Bethel led 60-53 with 10 minutes to play.
The Wildcats scored the first six points of the final frame as four points from Darian Herring helped break up the runs. Hymas knocked down a 3 inside the final 15 seconds, but Bethel hung on to win 78-70.
STAT RECAP
Brager led the Warriors with 20 points on six 3-pointers and Byrd notched a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. She added four steals and three assists to her final contest.
Hymas and Wallace each scored 13 points. Hymas dished out seven assists and grabbed eight boards, while Wallace knocked down three triples.
Herring aided the defense with eight rebounds and three blocks.
LC State hit 11 3-pointers as a team.
