SILVER CITY, NM - February 7, 2008 - The nationall ranked #20 Fort Lewis College men's basketball team dropped their first game since December 8th tonight in a 66-70 loss to the hosting Western New Mexico Mustangs. The Skyhawks fall to 17-4 overall and 12-2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), while the Mustangs improve to 12-10 overall and 8-6 in conference play.

With 3:14 left in the second half Ryan Johnson (Aurora, CO/Eaglecrest) connected on two free throws to give the Skyhawks a five-point lead. The Skyhawks then missed four consecutive shots and saw their lead and program-best 13-game winning streak slip away as the Mustangs went on an 11-0 run to grab a six-point lead with 37 seconds remaining. Johnson's ensuing three-pointer was good to cut the Mustang lead to three with 29 seconds remaining. Western New Mexico went 4-for-4 in the final seconds from the line to secure the 70-66 victory.

The first half was mostly controlled by the Skyhawks who led by as many as seven on numerous occasions. However, they led by just one at the break (33-32) after a 4-0 Mustang run to close the half.

The Skyhawks had 20 turnovers and shot 40.4% from the field in the loss. The Mustangs capitalized on the Skyhawks turnovers and scored 26 points off the 20 Skyhawk turnovers.

Matt Morris (Durango, CO/Durango) led the Skyhawks with a season and career-high 14 points and six rebounds. Johnson and Tim Crowell (Long Beach, CA/Cincinnati) each finished with 11 points as they only other Skyhawks with double digit scoring. Crowell added five boards and five assists, while Johnson grabbed six rebounds and dished out two assists.

The Mustangs had four players in double-figures and were led by Trey Clarkson who scored a game-high 15.

The #20 Skyhawks return to action at 8:00 p.m. Saturday night in Las Vegas, NM against the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys. The game can be heard live on KIUP 930 AM or online at www.radiodurango.com.

Box Score