DURANGO, CO - January 15, 2007 - The nationally ranked #21 in the latest Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) coaches poll, Fort Lewis College Skyhawks defeated the visiting Mesa State Mavericks 67-50 on Tuesday night in their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) West Division opener. The Skyhawks improve 15-1 overall and 8-0 in RMAC action, while the Mavericks fall to 6-10 overall and 4-4 in conference play.
In a game full of tough defense and numerous turnovers, 45 to be exact, the Skyhawks took the lead from the first basket and scored the first six points of the game. The Mavericks quickly got back into the game as they scored seven of the next nine points to bring them within one with 12:54 remaining in the opening half. The game stayed within reach for the Mavericks the remainder of the first half as they held the Skyhawks to 44% from the field and 22% from beyond the arch.
The second half was a different story. The Skyhawks turned the ball over just six times, compared to 14 first-half turnovers. Allison Rosel (Colorado Springs, CO/Doherty) took control of the game out of half time scoring six of the Skyhawks first 12 points. They opened the half with an 8-0 run in the first four minutes taking a 38-26 lead and control of the game. They would never relinquish that control for the remainder of the game, allowing the Mavericks to cut the lead to no smaller than eight. With 4:43 the Mavericks cut the Skyhawks lead to 14 (58-44) and tried to mount a comeback, but the Skyhawks' ensuing 9-1 run put the game out of reach for good.
With the win Fort Lewis improves their current winning streak to 12, tying the program record which was set during the 1982-83 season, the first year for women's basketball at Fort Lewis. With a win on Thursday against Western State, the Skyhawks would set a new program record of 13-game win streak.
Rosel led the game with 21 points on 9-for-11 from the field. She added eight rebounds, three assists and two steals in the victory. Katie Mackey (Eaton, CO/Eaton) scored 12 points, while Erin Kerr (Buckeye, AZ/Buckeye Union) dropped 11 points.
The Skyhawks scored 28 points off turnovers and 13 second-chance points. Those statistics tell the story of the game.
The Skyhawks return to action Thursday night against Western State at 6:00 p.m. in Gunnison. The game can be heard live on KIUP 930 AM or online at www.radiodurango.com. Live stats will also be available for the game at http://livestats.internetconsult.com/western/wbball/.
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