When Columbia gets out and running, watch out.
The Raiders did what they do best by turning defense into offense, cruising to 11-1 on the season with a 64-20 home win over Lorain on Jan. 10.
After dropping its only game of the season thus far last week to Keystone, it’s back to business as usual for Columbia with dominant wins. The Raiders’ tough defense and transition offense gives the opposition headaches. It happened to be Lorain (5-7) on the wrong side of it in this one.
“I think that our girls came out and competed,” Columbia coach Corey Taylor said. “We have such a senior-laden team that it makes it look kind of easy at times, but the girls know exactly where they need to be. I was just really proud of the effort and energy that they came out with. Being able to get down the floor in transition is what we do best. That was a turning point in the game.”
Columbia scored the first five points of the game and didn’t look back. Kaitlyn Miller and Sadie Schulke were active early for the Raiders, and Elise Champagne got into the scoring with a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 12-3 early.
The Titans cut the deficit to seven with a basket from Jelynn Carrington, but Columbia ended the quarter on a 10-1 run. Miller scored 10 of her 17 points in the opening eight minutes.
"Kaitlyn's really providing a two-headed monster for us with Elise," Taylor said. "That's a really great thing to have, two offensive players that can play that way. I'm very happy with Sadie Schulke tonight, she ended up with 10, too. I also think Bree Heidecker played an amazing game. It was a total team effort like it is with us."
Heidecker opened up the second quarter with a putback and then Champagne started to get loose. The senior guard led all scorers with 22 points, including 17 in the first half. Her two baskets in a row extended the lead to 22. Samone Whitt scored Lorain's only points of the second quarter, but the Raiders poured it on afterward with a 12-0 run to end the half.
Champagne hit a 3-pointer and Schulke got involved in transition. Miller and Payton Menge both scored in the final minute of the half, boosting the lead to 32 at the break. The Raiders also forced 16 first-half turnovers.
"We emphasized energy in the locker room beforehand, and that's exactly what we did," Champagne said. "We came out with energy and had a great first half."
Lorain had a much better third quarter, but it was too late. The Titans have found some success this season, but unfortunately for them, this wasn't one of those nights. In Brian Lynch's first year guiding the program, he's hoping the team can take something from seeing a good team like the Raiders across from them.
"We just have to keep practicing hard and working on things," Lynch said. "They're a really good team. It's a top team and a program that's been going long. It's the first year for my program in Lorain and switching things over from how they were done previously to more my style. Some of the girls are still getting used to it."
Champagne, Miller and Schulke were the three Raiders in double figures. Heidecker also scored six. Whitt led Lorain with five points, followed by four from Kayla Mosley.
Columbia is back at home to continue LC8 play against Clearview on Jan. 12. Lorain is also at home for its next conference game on Jan. 13 against LEL foe Warrensville Heights.
