PORTLAND, Ore. — The Lewis & Clark College women's basketball team used a strong middle-quarters performance and an 18-0 run to snap a seven-game losing streak and end 2024 with a 51-43 victory over UC Santa Cruz on Saturday afternoon in Pamplin Sports Center.

THE BASICS

Lewis & Clark 51, UC Santa Cruz 43
(Lewis & Clark 2-7, 0-1 NWC)
(UC Santa Cruz 4-11, 0-0 C2C)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Sophomore Lauryn Frederickson led all players with 13 points and 11 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. First-year Kaitlen Carns (12 points) and sophomore Madilyn Palosi (11 points) rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Pioneers. Carns was perfect from behind the arc, going 2-for-2 with three assists, while Palosi knocked down three 3-pointers and led the team with four assists.

The Pioneers and Banana Slugs traded baskets early in a defensive first quarter. Lewis & Clark took a narrow 9-8 lead into the second period after sophomore Divinity Singleton (six points, six rebounds) made a hook shot in the paint with 1:30 left in the first.

Lewis & Clark found its offensive rhythm in the second quarter as it closed the first half on an 11-0 run, highlighted by back-to-back treys from first-year Isabella Bernard and Palosi, taking a 26-21 lead into halftime. Carns scored all five of her second-quarter points during the run.

Junior Tatiana Rebanal (four points) kept the run going after halftime, grabbing an offensive rebound and making the layup to put the Pioneers up 28-21. Lewis & Clark built its lead to 33-21 with 6:27 left in the third quarter on a 3-pointer from Palosi to complete an 18-0 run that started at 3:08 in the second. The Pioneers extended their advantage to 42-33 heading into the final period, with Frederickson adding a critical three in the closing seconds of the quarter.

After junior Madelyn Sanchez (two points) and Palosi extended the lead to 13 to start the final quarter, UC Santa Cruz mounted a challenge, cutting the deficit to seven points with 2:32 remaining. Palosi responded with a clutch basket from range to push the lead back to double digits. The Pioneers' defense held firm in the closing minutes to secure the victory.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Frederickson (14.6 ppg), Palosi (11.6 ppg), and Carns (10.4 ppg) all average double-digit scoring for Lewis & Clark this season, with Sanchez right behind at 9.4 ppg.
• The Pioneers outrebounded the Banana Slugs 34-28, including 10 offensive rebounds, and outscored the Slugs 30-22 in the paint, despite UC Santa Cruz having three players listed at 6-1 or above with significant playing time.
• Lewis & Clark did not attempt a free throw in a game for the first time in at least a decade; UC Santa Cruz was 7-for-8 from the free throw line. 

WHO'S NEXT

Lewis & Clark has a two-week holiday break before returning to Northwest Conference action on Jan. 4 when it hosts Pacific at 6 p.m. in Pamplin.