Women’s 45-44 win snaps losing streak

By Jayden Hewitt Sports Editor

The LCC women’s basketball team pulled off a one-point conference victory, 45-44, at Kellogg Community College on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

The victory stops a nine-game losing skid for the Lady Stars. It was their first win since Dec. 12.

LCC’s record improved to 4-14 overall, and to 1-5 in the MCCAA’s Western Conference.

A 14-7 fourth quarter helped seal the victory for the Lady Stars, after they were jumped upon 16-10 by Kellogg in the first quarter.

Head Coach Layne Ingram spoke of his team’s resiliency in the fourth quarter.

“It was really great for the team to be able to pull that game out and show up in the fourth quarter,” Ingram said. “The last few games we’ve been pretty good, but for about three quarters, so stretching it to the fourth was great.”

Ingram said the victory can be attributed to overall execution.

“I think we just hung in there. (We) kept it close and were just a couple of defensive plays away from taking the lead and making it happen,” Ingram said. “I think we executed well on both ends of the floor down the stretch and played a clean game without fouling at the end.”

Both guard Riley Merryfield and guard/forward Alivia Densmore scored 13 points, leading the Stars, just above guard Oliva Gean, who scored 12 points for LCC.

Ingram also mentioned some player performances that stuck out.

“I thought our freshmen played well,” Ingram said. “Oliva (Gean) had the game-winning steal and free throw. Shay (Shalyn Dziewiatkowski) did a great job on the boards and defensively, and Alivia Densmore really got going and finished in double figures.

“(I’m) also really proud of my sophomores who lost down at Kellogg last year so we owed them. Riley (Merryfield) hit a couple big shots for us, too.”