SALEM, OR – The No. 17 LC State Women’s Basketball team is Cascade Conference Championship bound for the fifth straight season after a thrilling come-from-behind victory over No. 14 Eastern Oregon. The third-seeded Warriors defeated the second-seeded co-conference champions 70-57.
LC State fell behind early and trailed 18-9 after 10 minutes. The Warriors chipped away at the deficit before taking control with a 22-7 third frame. Payton Hymas led the charge with 21 points and Lindsey Wilson was key with a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double.
“I would first like to congratulate coach Anji (Weissenfluh) and her Eastern Oregon team,” coach Caelyn Orlandi said. “She is an excellent coach, and her team always competes at a high level and with tremendous heart. They will do great at the national tournament. Our team had a tremendous second half. The heart and grit we showed today was so special. Our team played for each other, and I can’t say anything more than I am so proud of them.”
LC State will take on top-seeded No. 20 Corban (Ore.) in Salem on Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the 2026 Cascade Conference Women’s Basketball Championship, presented by U.S. Bank. LC State will host a watch party in the P1FCU Activity Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Eastern Oregon took control of the first frame and pulled ahead 18-9 after 10 minutes. The margin grew to 11 points in the first 90 seconds of the second quarter, and the Mounties held the double-digit lead until a triple by Hymas and four points from Wilson had the difference at 34-30 at the break.
The Warriors turned the tables for good three minutes into the second half. Herring hit a 3-pointer to cut the difference to one and spark a 16-point swing that had LC State in front 48-36. Sitara Byrd and Hymas each added triples in the span and Wilson capped the run with three straight points. Two more buckets by Hymas had the advantage at 52-41.
EOU cut the difference to seven, 52-45, to start the final 10 minutes, but baskets by Herring, Kendall Wallace and Wilson grew the margin to 60-46 with 5:49 to play. Herring and Wallace combined for a short run of five to keep the lead at 14 points before Wilson closed things out with a free throw.
STAT RECAP
Hymas led the contest with 21 points, including 12 in the second half, and Herring scored 14 in the final two quarters as part of her 20 total. Wilson was a force on both sides of the ball with 10 rebounds and 14 points.
Wallace guarded the perimeter fiercely in the second half and was key to EOU shooting 15% (3-for-20) from distance on the night. The Warrior defense forced 16 turnovers and held the Mountaineers to 38.3% shooting from the field.
“Lindsey Wilson was so tremendous today and her leadership and will to win was spectacular,” Orlandi said. “Payton played with great heart and scored so great at the basket, Darian was fantastic on both ends and Kendall Wallace amped up the defense in the second half and did exactly what she needed to do. Her baskets in the fourth were so timely too. All of our players impacted the win today and we look forward to what’s next.”
LC State shot 40.6% from the field and knocked down 13 free throws.
