DURANGO, CO - February 16, 2008 - The Fort Lewis College men's basketball team clinched at least a share of the 2007-08 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) regular season title with a 94-60 victory over the visiting CSU-Pueblo Thunderwolves. The Skyhawks improve to 20-4 overall and 15-2 in the RMAC, while the Thunderwolves fall to 9-15 overall and 6-11 in conference play.
In the first half of Saturday night's game, the Skyhawks attempted to put this game out of reach, but with 14:45 on the clock they found themselves tied at nine with the Thunderwolves. Fort Lewis' ensuing 16-6 run gave them the comfortable lead for good. They improved their lead to 18 (45-27) at halftime off impressive first-half shooting. The Skyhawks shot 56.3% from the field and 40% from downtown, while holding the Thunderwolves to 45% from the floor and causing 10 first-half Thunderwolves' turnovers. Ryan Johnson (Aurora, CO/Eaglecrest) and Trent Bowman (Durango, CO/Durango) led the way with 10 first-half points.
The Skyhawks progressively improved on their lead the entire second half and at one point held a 38-point lead with 1:52 remaining. The 38-point lead came as part of a 9-2 run from the 5:32 mark to the 1:52 mark of the second half. The Thunderwolves scored six of the last eight points to cut the lead to 34 at the final buzzer.
For the second time in four years the Skyhawks clinch at least a share of the RMAC Title and have to chance to win it out-right with a win on Tuesday at Mesa State or in one week against Western State. For the third time in coach Bob Hofman's tenure the Skyhawks will be crowned champions and for only the fourth time in FLC history will the Skyhawks carry the crown. With one more win the team will time a program record for most conference wins and with two more wins they'll tie the program record for overall wins.
The Skyhawks shot an impressive 50.9% from the floor and were led by Crowell who connected on 4-of-5 shots and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe. He finished with 13 points and 10 assists for the non-traditional double-double. The senior also came just four rebounds short of a triple-double.
Ryan Jameson (Durango, CO/Durango) finished with a game-high 18 points, while Johnson added six second-half points to finish with 16 total. DeAndre Lansdowne (Albuquerque, NM/Sandia) added 14 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists and Bowman finished with 12 points. Kyle Behrens (Highlands Ranch, CO/Mountain Vista) also added eight points and five rebounds.
The Skyhawks return to action on Tuesday night at Mesa State at 8:00 p.m. in hopes to wrap-up the out-right RMAC Title. The game can be heard live on KIUP 930 AM or online at www.radiodurango.com.
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