Both LBCC basketball teams went undefeated in their first games of February last week.
On February 7, the LBCC women survived a thriller against 6-13 Southwestern Oregon, winning 52-51. It was a back and forth game, but the Beaks pulled ahead by three late. However, the LB crowd got a scare when Southwestern managed to sink two free throws with just three seconds left. Down by one, Southwestern attempted a buzzer beater but didn’t make the shot, and LBCC emerged with the victory.
For the game, freshman Natalia McBride led the Beaks in both points and rebounds, with 14 and 11, respectively.
The men took the court next against Southwestern’s 18-5 men’s team. This time around, the game wasn’t quite as stressful as the LB men took a commanding 45-34 lead entering halftime. After winning the second half 34-31, the Beaks won the game with a final score of 78-65.
Sophomore T.J. Zimmermann led the Beaks with 25 points and 11 rebounds, although sophomore Davion Burdette wasn’t far behind with 24 points of his own on the night.
The Beaks’ second matchups of the week were against Mt. Hood, who both LBCC teams already beat earlier this season.
The result was no different the second time around. The LBCC women took on the 5-17 Saints on February 10, winning 58-51. Despite being down 43-36 at the end of the third quarter, the Beaks went on a 22-8 run in the fourth to secure the comeback victory.
Freshman Brooklynn Walters led the Beaks with 14 points off the bench, while McBride added a team-best nine rebounds.
With the wins last week, the LBCC women now sit at a strong 13-5 on the season. They also now hold a record above .500 in their conference, with a 5-3 record in the NWAC South.
The LBCC men also managed to defeat Mt. Hood for a second time this season, defeating the 6-16 Saints 89-82. The Beaks held a nine-point lead at halftime, but Mt. Hood stormed back to lead by three midway through the second half. However, it didn’t last long as the Beaks soon reclaimed the lead and never looked back.
Once again, Zimmermann led the Beaks in points and rebounds, with 34 and 12, respectively.
After multiple weeks of sitting at .500, the LBCC men are now two ahead in the wins column, with an 11-9 season record and a 5-3 conference record.
This week will be a busy one for LBCC athletics, as both basketball teams play three times each, with away games on the 12th and 14th against Portland and Clackamas, and home games on the 17th, also against Portland. The women’s home game will tip off at 2 p.m., with the men taking the court two hours later.
Saturday the 17th will also mark the start of LBCC baseball season, with the Beaks taking on Columbia Basin on the road. It’ll be an away game double-header, with the first game starting at 11 a.m.
