Starting the season on a good note is vital to a successful year for any athletic program. This past weekend, the Linn-Benton women’s basketball team got just the start they had hoped for.
Over three days, the Roadrunners played their first three games of the season at the Titan Classic in Eugene, Ore., against Centralia, Treasure Valley, and Pierce. The team left the tournament with a 2-1 overall record following wins against Centralia and Pierce.
The season and the tournament tipped off on Friday, Nov. 15, with Linn-Benton taking on Centralia. Following a close first quarter, which saw the Roadrunners take a narrow 16-12 lead, Linn-Benton’s offense started to click. The team extended their lead to 12 at the half and never took their foot off the gas, ultimately coming out with a 69-53 victory.
Guard Katelynn Weaver showed her expertise on both sides of the court, leading the Roadrunners in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Despite playing only 18 minutes, center Molly Goeckner contributed 11 points to the Roadrunner’s total while shooting an efficient 5 for 8.
Fortunes would flip, however, as the Roadrunners suffered their first loss against Treasure Valley the following day. The matchup appeared close in the first half, with Linn-Benton trailing by just four at halftime. However, Treasure Valley would come out of the interval inspired, outscoring Linn-Benton in the third quarter 24 to 7. The third quarter proved too much to come back from as the Roadrunners fell 47-72 to the Chukars.
Guard Lidia Jacobsen led the team with 11 points from off the bench, while Goeckner brought down a team-best seven rebounds. Freshman Kylee Baumgartner notably led the Roadrunners in assists and steals while scoring the third-most points on the team.
On Sunday, Linn-Benton would respond to the defeat in resounding fashion by blowing out Pierce. From the start, the Roadrunners stifling defense was on full display. Linn-Benton had already jumped out to a 10-0 lead before Pierce scored their first points of the contest with four and a half minutes to go in the first quarter. Thanks to a dominant third quarter in which the team outscored Pierce 21 to 2, the Roadrunners captured their season’s second win by a score of 63-27.
Weaver was back to her best, leading the team with 16 points and four assists in only 21 minutes. Forward Natalia McBride racked up eight rebounds for the team while contributing three steals. Jacobsen continued to be a force from off the bench, recording 11 points despite only playing 15 minutes.
The Roadrunners will look to continue their form from the Titan Classic into their next matches as the team sets up to host the Roadrunner Classic in Albany. The team will take on Big Bend at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, before taking on Whatcom the following day at 3 p.m.