Riley Lupfer’s hot shooting carries LC past G-Prep

Shooters have a way of never losing their touch.

Such is the case for Lewis and Clark senior Riley Lupfer.

The left-handed Lupfer broke her shooting hand this fall, missing 4 1/2 weeks doing what she likes to do best – shoot.

Lupfer was cleared to start shooting four days before practices began.

She didn’t lose her touch as evidenced by the 28-point outburst she had in leading the Tigers to a 67-56 season and Greater Spokane League-opening win over the Gonzaga Prep Bullpups at Squinty Hunter Fieldhouse on Wednesday.

Lupfer, who has signed with Boise State University, broke her hand in a fall open gym.

“I flew into someone and it broke,” she said. “It was kind of shocking. I thought I had just jammed it.”

As soon as Lupfer got the cast off she went to work.

“I definitely tried to make up the gym time I missed,” said Lupfer, who also had six rebounds and four steals.

Lupfer made 9 of 15 shots from the field and was hotter from 3-point range, making 6 of 10.

The nice thing is she had lots of help.

Brooklyn Howlett, a 5-foot-9 forward, did an excellent job getting low post position and sealing her defender inside. She made her team’s first four baskets, finishing with 16 points to go with five rebounds.

“She’s improved so much,” Lupfer said of Howlett. “She takes all the good shots. She doesn’t just chuck it up. She just gets open and scores.”

LC used an 8-0 surge to break from an 8-all tie. The Bullpups never got closer than nine points after the Tigers jumped in front 25-16 early in the second quarter.

Twice in the third period the Tigers increased their lead to 16 points.

Back-to-back 3-pointers from Lupfer gave LC its biggest lead, 67-48, late in the fourth.

G-Prep, coming off back-to-back State 4A championships, returns just one starter, Tayler Drynan. She did all she could to keep the Bullpups within eyesight, finishing with a team-high 22 points, including five 3-pointers.

LC is expecting better things.

“We can play better,” Lupfer said. “It’s a better start than last year. I think we’ve gelled better than last year and that’s nice.”

The Tigers have been around coach George Pfeifer for a year now.

“We only knew him as a coach for like 10 days last year before the season started,” Lupfer said.

How good could LC be?

“I hope there is no ceiling,” Lupfer said.

University 56, Rogers 15: The visiting Titans scored early and often, building a 38-5 lead by halftime. Claire Dingus and Kendall Collins led U-Hi with 11 points each.

Mead 69, Shadle Park 28: The Panthers raced to a 40-11 lead by halftime over the visiting Highlanders. Aaliyah Pauling led Mead with 14 points and Lindsey Russell had 13. Mead finished with 15 steals and 14 assists.

Ferris 78, Mt. Spokane 63: All five Saxons starters reached double-figure scoring as Ferris cruised past the visiting Wildcats. Bria Bowton led Ferris with 18 points, Lexi Erickson had 15, Kayla Sharp 14 and Abby and Megan Muelheim each had 13. Jaidyn Lyman led Mt. Spokane with 17. Ferris made 30 of 34 free throws.

Central Valley 75, North Central 38: Lexi Hull had a game-high 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Bears past the visiting Indians. Katie Hawkins supported Hull with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Quincy McDeid led NC with 16 points.