LEWISTON, Idaho – A 9-game winning streak to start the 2016-17 season came to an end for Lady Argo basketball, and it came at the hands of a familiarly formidable foe. After beating UGF in the 2016 Frontier Conference Championship game, Lewis-Clark State College once again got the better of Great Falls, 99-74 in the first game of Frontier Conference play. 
 
The game was a battle of one of the nation's best offenses with LC State ranked 2nd in the NAIA in points per game, and UGF's defense ranking 10th in the NAIA in scoring defense per game. With two contrasting styles, controlling the pace of play was a crucial aspect of the game and the Warriors won that battle.
 
After the Lady Argos won the opening tip, LC State ended UGF's first possession with a steal. That UGF turnover led to a made 3-pointer on the Warrior's first field goal attempt, a sequence that largely foreshadowed the rest of game.  
 
Three more UGF turnovers and a couple more threes from the Warriors kept LC State ahead for the rest of the first quarter, but scores from six different Lady Argos, including two threes from junior Stephanie McDonagh kept the score close.
 
LC State continued shoot well in the second half, hitting 45 percent of its shots in the second half, while UGF's percentage dropped below 40. That differential in shooting combined with four more Lady Argo turnovers turned the six point lead entering the quarter, into an 18 point LC State lead heading into the half.
 
Overall, the Lady Argo offense didn't have a that bad of a half, making 5 of 11 3-pt shots in the first half, and getting 10 points from McDonagh, 9 points from senior Darah Heurtas-Vining, and 6 points from senior center Whitney George in the first 20 minutes. The problem committing too many turnovers on offense, and not forcing enough on defense.
 
UGF entered the game averaging over 10 steals per game, but after the first half the Warriors had committed just two turnovers.
 
Some sudden hot shooting from behind the line for McDonagh and freshman guard Jenna Randich kept the third quarter close. The two combined for five 3-pt fgs and scored 17 of UGF's 21 points in the quarter.  Their efforts meant the lead only increased by two points for the Warriors who continued to control the ball, only turning it over once in the quarter.
 
A 20-point margin at the start of the second half kept the Warriors relatively free from any worry of comeback. UGF's worst shooting quarter of the game, alleviated any remaining concerns.
 
By the end of the game the turnover battle was still the stat most indicative of the final score. UGF turned the ball over 15 times to LC State's 6, leading to a 17-9 margin in points off turnovers, and a 16-4 margin in fast break points for the Warriors.
 
The fast-paced play did lead to some impressive numbers for a few Lady Argos, particularly McDonagh. The team's season leader in points, and rebounds again led UGF in both categories along with assists, as she crept towards a triple-double with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.
 
Randich's second half shooting led to a 13-point game for the freshman, while the Huertas-Vining finished with 11 points, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds. Senior center Kalani Ulufale came close to the first double-double of her career, tying career highs with 9 points and 7 rebounds.
 
The loss is the first of the year for the now 9-1 (0-1) Lady Argos. The team will look to even up its conference record with another road game, this time a December 3 tilt against Montana Tech at 5:30 p.m.