EUGENE, OR – The Lower Columbia College men's basketball team showcased elite perimeter shooting and rim protection on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Lane Titans 79-74 on the road.
Fueled by a 12-for-26 performance from beyond the arc (46.2%) and a dominant double-double from Skyler Schmidt, the Red Devils (4-3) built a commanding lead early in the second half and held firm against a late Titans rally to secure the win.
James Grose led the offensive charge for Lower Columbia, pouring in a team-high 18 points on an efficient 6-of-13 shooting, including a blistering 5-of-8 from three-point range. Shane Douma-Sanchez was instrumental in the backcourt, finishing with 17 points, four assists, and a perfect 6-for-6 performance from the free-throw line to help ice the game.
The Red Devils established control in the first half, taking a 33-24 lead into the locker room. They came out of the break firing, extending their lead to as many as 16 points (40-24) following a Schmidt layup with 18:11 remaining in the game.
Lane (5-2) refused to go away quietly, chipping away at the deficit throughout the second half and pulling within a single possession late in the game. However, LCC's defense stepped up when it mattered most. The Red Devils recorded a staggering 8 blocked shots on the night, with Noah Schow, Parker Eiswald, and Schmidt recording two rejections apiece.
Skyler Schmidt was a force in the paint, tallying 14 points and pulling down a game-high 11 rebounds (all defensive) to go with his two blocks. Chance White added 12 points, including two three-pointers, while Cole Chester provided a spark off the bench with 8 points, three assists, and two steals.
Despite losing the rebounding battle 39-34, Lower Columbia's efficiency was the difference-maker. They shot 43.9% from the field compared to Lane's 41.7% and capitalized on free throws, shooting nearly 74% from the charity stripe.
Key Stat: The Red Devils' perimeter defense held Lane to 37.5% shooting from deep, while LCC converted on nearly half of their own attempts from downtown.
Devils will host the west region NWAC Crossover beginning Thursday, December 11 at Myklebust Gym.
12/11 - Whatcom vs Umpqua, 5:00 pm; Treasure Valley vs Lower Columbia, 7:00 pm
12/12 - Whatcom vs Treasure Valley, 4:00 pm; Umpqua vs Lower Columbia, 6:00 pm
12/13 - Umpqua vs treasure Valley, 12:00 pm; Whatcome vs Lower Columbia, 2:00 pm
