Trailblazers Wrap Up Three-Game Road Trip, Showing Growth and Areas for Improvement

GODFREY, Ill. — The Lewis & Clark women's basketball team closed out a challenging three-game road stretch last week, a trip Head Coach Issac Moore says highlighted both the team's potential and the work still ahead.

"I think the trip really showed where our team stands on three separate fronts," Moore said. "We're capable of beating good teams, we have various areas in need of improvement, and we're seeing some development from last year's squad."

The high point of the trip came in the win at Lake Michigan College, where the Trailblazers overcame a difficult shooting night with grit and defensive intensity. A dominant third quarter proved to be the difference.

"We demonstrated tremendous toughness and defensive effort to withstand a bad shooting night on the road," Moore said. "I was incredibly proud of our team's toughness in that game."

The team struggled to replicate that effort in losses to Bethel JV and Elgin Community College. Moore said both opponents brought a level of physicality and urgency his team needs to match more consistently.

"The exact opposite was true in the Bethel game," Moore said. "We came out flat in the third quarter and they out-hustled us. I often tell our team that the toughest team wins, and Elgin and Bethel demonstrated tremendous toughness that we had trouble matching."

Despite the mixed results, several Trailblazers delivered standout performances. Freshman Aniston Mapes continued her strong start, averaging more than 15 points per game.

"She's been our most consistent scorer and exactly what we recruited her for," Moore said.

Abby Kreitner added a season-high 18 points against Bethel while remaining one of the team's most impactful rebounders and playmakers. Moore also highlighted the emergence of Ruby Stuckemeyer, who posted a career-high 12 rebounds and now leads the team on the boards.

Looking ahead, Moore said the team's mindset and physicality will be the focus as they prepare for a tough stretch that includes four ranked opponents and several NJCAA Division I programs.

"We have to get tougher as a group," Moore said. "This group has the talent to be a good team, but so do many others in our league. We have to do the little things and build our identity around being the toughest team in the region."

Written by Alexandra Dunn, Athletics Social Media Coordinator