Lady Warriors Dominate Braves in KCAC Opener

Ottawa, Kan. – The Lady Warriors opened the KCAC season on the road at Ottawa University. After a tough preseason schedule, the Lady Warriors were more than prepared for the beginning of conference play. Sterling dominated most of the game and cruised to a twenty point, 91-71 win.

Ottawa hit two quick threes before Sterling could get on the board sending the Lady Warriors into an early 6-0 deficit. From that point on it was all Warriors. Sterling tied the game within three minutes and took the lead with six minutes left in the first quarter and never looked back. At the end of the first quarter, Sterling led 22-16. The Warriors kept things rolling and outscored Ottawa by eight points in the second quarter, opening up a 47-33 lead at halftime.

The intermission did not do anything to slow down the Warrior attack. Sterling maintained a seventeen to twenty point lead most of the third quarter until a late burst propelled them to a 28 point lead with just under a minute to play in the quarter. A three on the Brave's last possession cut the lead to 25 points after three quarters of play. Sterling led 73-48 and had the game well in hand. Sterling maintained a 25 point lead until the final two minutes of play when Ottawa went on a little run before time expired. The Warriors largest lead of the game was at 29 points. Sterling finished with a 91-71 win to open KCAC play on the road.

Korynn Clason was the driving force behind the Warrior's offense, scoring 24 points on 10-20 shooting, and grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists. Alyssa Heskamp scored 17 for Sterling, also credited with 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Kali Briar added 15 points and 4 assists, and Kayla Morris had her best performance, and first double-double, of the early season, scoring 11 points and pulling in 10 rebounds, four of them offensive.

Sterling shot over 53% from the field on 38-71 shooting. They maintained the same percentage from three point range, scoring 8 baskets on 15 attempts. Sterling was a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line. Sterling dominated the boards with a +20 rebounding margin, and passed the ball well with 24 assists; five Warriors had 4 assists or more. Adding to the dominating performance is that Coach KC Bassett earned her 200^th career win, making her the fastest to 200 wins in Sterling women's basketball history.

Sterling plays their conference home opener on Saturday against a formidable foe. The University of Saint Mary gave Sterling a late conference loss last season and eventually won the KCAC Tournament to receive an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round. Saint Mary brings back most of last season's team so expect a dogfight in the Gleason Center on Saturday afternoon. The opening tip is scheduled for 3 pm.

There is also an alumni event scheduled for the men's and women's alumni who attend the games on Saturday. Alumni of the women's team will be announced at halftime of the women's game and the men's alumni will be recognized at halftime of the men's game. Any basketball alum that will RSVP to the following link will receive a gift AND free entry to the games. https://tinyurl.com/m252nate

Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.