PUEBLO, CO - February 1, 2008 - The nationally ranked #25 Fort Lewis College men's basketball team defeated the CSU-Pueblo Thunderwolves 98-70 Friday afternoon at the State Fair Events Center. The Skyhawks improve to 16-3 overall and 11-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), while the Thunderwolves fall to 8-10 overall and 5-6 in conference play.

The Skyhawks shot an impressive 61% from the field, connecting of 36-of-59 shots, to grab their 12th consecutive victory, tying the program record which was set in 2003.

The two teams exchanged the lead for the first eight minutes of the first half, but at the 11-minute mark of the first period the Skyhawks hit their first of six unanswered points. They continued the streak to finish the half and found themselves up by 13 (44-31) at the break.

The second half brought more of the same for the Skyhawks who hit 19-of-31 shots. They opened the second half going on a 6-1 run and cruised allowing the Thunderwolves to get no closer than 12 in the final 15 minutes. Fort Lewis went on run after run the remaining 15 minutes and opened a lead of 33 with 38 seconds left on the clock.

"It was a good team effort," said head coach Bob Hofman. "Everyone played well," he added as the Skyhawks improve to 11-1 in conference play for the first time in the program's 45-year history.

"We tightened up our defense in the second half and rebounded better," Hofman concluded.

Devon Manning (Kirtland, NM/Kirtland) led the Skyhawks with 23 points and seven rebounds. Four other Skyhawks, Tim Crowell (Long Beach, CA/Cincinnati), Ryan Johnson (Aurora, CO/Eaglecrest), Ryan Jameson (Durango, CO/Durango) and Matt Morris (Durango, CO/Durango) finished with at least 10 points. Johnson went 5-for-6 from the field for 12 points, while Crowell scored 11, grabbed seven rebounds and handed out eight assists. Morris added 10 points and two boards.

The Skyhawks return to action tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. in Alamosa as they take on the Adams State Grizzlies. The game can be heard live on KIUP 930 AM or www.radiodurango.com.

Box Score