PORTLAND, OR – Darian Herring had the best offensive game of her career on Saturday to lead No. 15 LC State to a 87-57 victory over Warner Pacific (Ore.) in Cascade Conference play. The junior closed out the 2025 portion of the schedule with a career-high 27 points on a 13-for-18 night from the floor.
LC State was efficient with a 52.2% mark from the floor and forced 27 turnovers for 41 points. The Warriors had 20 assists on 36 made baskets.
“Great team win for us today,” coach Caelyn Orlandi said. “We had some players step up in big ways. I always love a 20-assist night for our team. It is always fun when you get a career-high night too. Darian dominated today and was nearly unstoppable and showed her versatility on the court.”
The win has the Warrior record at 9-3 overall and 3-1 in CCC action.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Herring took a steal back to the basket herself for the first points of the contest, and Payton Hymas and Sitara Byrd kept LC State’s foot on the gas. Herring accounted for eight straight Warrior points for a 15-8 advantage by 4:50. Warner Pacific rallied to cut the difference to three, 16-13, but a triple by Hymas widened the lead with 2:48 left in the first frame. Tallies by Lindsey Wilson and Byrd capped the nine-point run that ended the first quarter 25-13.
Kendall Wallace ended the scoring run at 11 points with a basket to start the second frame. Hymas and Ella Nelson each drained 3-pointers to push the lead to 35-23 at 3:15, and a pair of buckets and a free throw by Herring made it 40-25. Byrd and Herring added a basket each in the final minute for a 44-28 advantage at the break.
Wallace turned a steal by Hymas into a 3-pointer before baskets by Hymas and Byrd had the Warriors off to a 7-0 run to start the third quarter. The LC State lead grew to51-28 after 90 seconds. Hymas and Herring combined for eight points as the frame continued. Ellee Brockman joined the scoring with a 3-pointer at 3:01 and Hymas made it 64-42 with 10 minutes to play.
Tatum Brager opened the final frame with a triple and Wilson added on within the first minute. Hymas, Brager, Herring and Camden Barger kept the offense rolling to a 79-49 cushion midway through the quarter and tallies by Wallace, Herring, Byrd combined for a six-point run to make it 85-54. Barger scored the final basket of the contest.
STAT RECAP
Herring led all scorers with her career-high 27 points. She was 13-for-18 from the field with six rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Hymas was 7-for-9 from field, including 2-for-3 from 3-point range, for 18 points. She led the game with six assists and five steals. Byrd added 12 points with six boards.
The Warriors had 25 points off the bench led by eight from Wilson. She did not miss tonight at 3-for-3 from the field and 2-for-2 at the free throw line. LC State shots 52.5% as a team.
“Payton Hymas had an all-around fantastic game,” Orlandi said. “She got her teammates involved, took care of the ball and scored very efficiently. I thought our bench did a great job today as well.”
LC State’s defense forced 27 turnovers for 41 points, with 15 of those turnovers as steals.
“Great way to end 2025 and we look forward to a big time match up when we get back from break,” Orlandi added.
UP NEXT
LC State opens 2026 at home against Southern Oregon and No. 21 Oregon Tech Jan. 2-3.
