DURANGO, CO - January 25, 2008 - The Fort Lewis College women's basketball team defeated the visiting New Mexico Highlands University Cowgirls 89-33 Friday night as they continued their program-best 14-game winning streak. The Skyhawks improve to 17-1 overall and 10-0 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), while the Cowgirls fall to 1-14 overall and 1-9 in the RMAC.

The nationally ranked #15 Skyhawks were no match for the cowgirls Friday night as they opened an early lead and never once looked back. The Skyhawks scored 18 of the game's first 21 points taking a commanding lead at the 9:57 mark of the first half. They continued to improve their lead as the half wore on and ended the period with a 40-14 lead.

The Skyhawks held the Cowgirls to 13.9 percent shooting in the first half, including 0-for-10 from beyond the arch. Fort Lewis caused 14 first half turnovers by the Cowgirls and grabbed eight steals. On the other side, the Skyhawks shot 50% from the floor and handed out 12 assists in the first half.

The second half brought more of the same in Whalen Gymnasium. The Skyhawks opened with another run to improve their lead to 46-14 just over two minutes in. The teams exchanged baskets until the 9:46 mark when the Skyhawks opened a larger lead going on a 22-0 run the following six minutes and 30 seconds. The rest was history as the Skyhawks went on to their 14th consecutive victory of the season.

Fort Lewis finished shooting 38-for-70 (54.3%) from the field, 10-for-24 (41.7%) from downtown and 3-for-4 (75%) from the foul line. They scored 46 points in the paint, 30 points off of turnovers, 17 second-chance points, 12 fast-break points and 49 points off the bench. They caused 26 Cowgirl turnovers and held them to 18.2% shooting from the field.

Allison Rosel (Colorado Springs, CO/Doherty) improved her nation's best field goal percentage to 73.3% by going 10-for-12 from the field for 20 points in the win. The sophomore added seven rebounds, an assists and a steal.

Katie Mackey (Fort Collins, CO/Poudre) once again had an impressive night with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Lauren Redfern (Carbondale, CO/Basalt) added 11 points, six boards and five assists. Audrey George (Longmont, CO/Niwot) grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.

Every player on the Skyhawks' roster saw significant playing time in the win and all but one recorded points in the win.

The Skyhawks host Western New Mexico tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. in another RMAC match up. If you can't make the game it can be heard live on KIUP 930 AM in Durango or online at www.radiodurango.com. Live stats for the game will also be available at http://livestats.internetconsult.com/fortlewis/wbball/.

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