Katie Rathgeber and Kaitlyn Wenz each scored 14 points as the Bulldogs handed La Center its first Trico League loss in nearly three years.
Kalama was the last team to beat La Center in league play on Feb. 5, 2016. Tuesday, host Stevenson knocked off the four-time defending league champions with stingy defense and accurate free-throw shooting.
“We’re used to getting beat by 40 against them,” said Stevenson coach Bob McCrum. “We changed up our defense a bit. The girls went into attack mode.”
McCrum credited Wenz and Sara Campbell with holding reigning league MVP Taylor Stephens to 16 points, below her 21.8-point average.
Stevenson (10-4, 3-1) took a 47-38 lead by outscoring La Center 24-14 in the third quarter. The Bulldogs held the lead at the foul line, finishing 13 for 17 for the game.
Lauren Fox added 14 points for La Center (5-8, 3-1).
STEVENSON 57, LA CENTER 47
LA CENTER — Sierra Frasier 4, Mya Ecklund 4, Anna Webberley 0, Ava Fox 0, Natasha Lewis 6, Kylie Ballard 0, Lauren Fox 14, Kylee Stephens, Mia Edwards 3, Taylor Stephens 16. Totals 18 (9) 2-8 47.
STEVENSON — Jaida Emerson 2, Cassie MacNab 7, Jade Waymire 0, Katie Rathgeber 14, Isabella Spencer 0, Jazmine Morat 11, Ashley Brannan 7, Alisyn Backlund 0, Sydney Cole 0 Kaitlyn Wenz 14, Anfisa Sheratski, Sara Campbell 0. Totals 21 (1) 13-17 57.
La Center 16 8 14 9–47
Stevenson 12 11 24 8–57
JV — Stevenson 41-31.
