Cougars Battle but Fall Short Against Butte

The Lassen College men’s basketball team showed fight Saturday night but came up short against Butte, falling 74-66 in Golden Valley Conference play. After trailing 37-27 at halftime, the Cougars responded with a strong second half, outscoring Butte 39-37, but were unable to fully close the gap.

DeCarlo Browne delivered a dominant performance with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks, shooting 9-of-16 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. Jailen Childress added 16 points and four assists, while Sam Hogmalm matched him with 16 points, three steals, and a block. Lassen shot 43.1% from the field and competed well on the glass, finishing with 41 rebounds.

The difference came on the boards and at the free throw line, where Butte held a 48-41 rebounding advantage and converted 19-of-26 free throws. The Roadrunners also capitalized on second-chance opportunities with 20 offensive rebounds. Despite the loss, the Cougars’ effort and balanced scoring were positives as they continue the stretch run of conference play.