GUNNISON, CO - January 17, 2008 - The Fort Lewis College men's basketball team defeated the Mountaineers of Western State College 72-48 tonight in their ninth consecutive win of the season. The Skyhawks improve to 13-3 overall and 8-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), while the Mountaineers fall to 6-10 overall and 4-4 in the RMAC.
Coming off an emotional victory or arch-rival Mesa State just two nights ago, the Fort Lewis College men's basketball team put a cap on their fourth game in just seven days Thursday night. They secured their #1 standing in the RMAC West Division and took the lead in the RMAC overall standing with Colorado Christian in idol tonight.
The Skyhawks jumped out to an early lead scoring 12 of the games first 15 points. The Skyhawks improved on that nine-point lead for the first 10 minutes of the first period. The Mountaineers then went on a 13-2 run between the 9:09 and 4:49 marks to cut the FLC lead to just three. Fort Lewis hit it's stride once again before the break going on a 10-1 run to close the half. They led 40-28 at the midway point.
After the break the Skyhawks continued to improve their lead as the Mountaineers hit just 1-of-11 second half three-point field goal attempts. The Skyhawks' lead surpassed 20 when Devon Manning (Kirtland, NM/Kirtland) scored a lay up with 3:35 left on the clock. Fort Lewis finished the game scoring six of the final eight points to secure the 72-48 victory.
Manning led all scorers with 15 points, nine of which came in the second half. Ryan Jameson (Durango, CO/Durango) scored 11 points and went a perfect 4-for-4 from the foul line.
Matt Morris (Durango, CO/Durango) added five points and eight rebounds, while Tim Crowell (Long Beach, CA/Cincinnati) scored nine points, grabbed six rebounds, handed out four assists and recorded four steals.
The Skyhawks dominated the paint scoring 36 points in the box and holding the Mountaineers to just 16 points in the paint. They also scored 21 points off turnovers and 17 second-chance points.
The Skyhawks rest for eight days before they take on New Mexico Highlands at 8:00 p.m. in the Whalen Athletic Center on Friday, January 25th.
Box Score
