There were only two LBCC basketball games last week, with the men’s and women’s teams each taking on Umpqua at home on January 3. It was the season’s NWAC South opener for both teams. 

The Roadrunner women took the court first at 5:30 p.m. The Umpqua women were an impressive 12-1 entering the matchup, and they pulled ahead to a 17-12 lead in the first quarter. The RiverHawks expanded their advantage in the next two quarters, entering the fourth up by 27. The Beaks managed to outscore their opponents in the final quarter, 13-5, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit. 

Linn-Benton struggled with 21.9% field goal shooting, compared to Umpqua’s 47.5%. Freshman Natalia McBride led the Roadrunners in points with 10, while sophomore Muriel Jones-Hoisington led the team in rebounds with seven. 

With the loss, the LBCC women now sit at 8-3 on the season, although they begin league play at 0-1. 

The men played next at 7:30 p.m. against the 9-4 Umpqua men. The Beaks scored efficiently and consistently all night with 51 points in each half, resulting in a 102-82 win over the RiverHawks. The Beaks were over 50% in both total shooting and three-point percentage for the game. 

Sophomore T.J. Zimmermann was one of three Beaks with 20-plus points against Umpqua, leading the team with 29 to go along with 21 rebounds. Sophomores Bennett Bos and Davion Burdette each scored 20 points as well. 

After the win, the LBCC men regain their winning record, now at 7-6 on the season and undefeated in their one game of league play. 

This week, the men and women will each play two games, with both facing off against Southwestern Oregon on January 10 and Mt. Hood on the 13th. Both games will be on the road. 

NWAC Partners with WeCOACH

On January 8, the NWAC athletic conference announced their recent partnership with WeCOACH, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing and supporting current and prospective women coaches. 

Per the organization’s mission statement posted on their website: “WeCOACH is a one-of-a-kind nonprofit membership organization dedicated to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches in all sports and levels through year-round professional growth & leadership development programs.” 

The NWAC’s partnership with WeCOACH lasts through December of 2024. It will allow participating schools in the conference to give an unlimited number of coaches, administrators, and more access to the program’s resources and programs. 
You can read more about the NWAC/WeCOACH partnership on the NWAC’s website here.