SILVER CITY, NM - February 7, 2008 - The Fort Lewis College women's basketball team defeated the hosting Western New Mexico Mustangs 82-65 Thursday night to improve to 21-1 overall and 14-0 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). The Skyhawks win their 17th straight as the Mustangs fall to 2-19 overall and 2-12 in the RMAC.

The nationally ranked #9 Skyhawks found themselves in a battle the first 11 minutes of Thursday game in Silver City, NM. The hosting Mustangs came within one of the Skyhawks 10 minutes and 40 seconds into the first half. The Skyhawks then went on an impressive 8-0 run to improve their lead to nine with 7:06 left in the first period. The Skyhawks went on another 8-0 run just one minute later and secured their largest lead of the first half (16) with 3:08 left in the period. The Skyhawks held on to a 41-29 lead going into halftime.

The teams exchanged baskets for a majority of the second half, but the Mustangs rallied at the 10:40 mark and went on an 11-2 run closing the Skyhawks lead to five (61-56). Fort Lewis answered going on a 9-1 run to grab their most comfortable lead of the second period, 13 points with 4:45 left in the game. The Skyhawks then hit three three-pointers in the final four minutes to grab their 21st win of the season.

Their 21 wins match the program's second-most which occurred in their 1984-85 campaign. The only Fort Lewis women's basketball team to record more wins was the 2003-04 Skyhawks who went 23-8 overall.

The Skyhawks once again shot over 60% from the field. They went 33-for-50 from the floor for a remarkable 66%. They also shot 53.3% from downtown and 72.7% from the floor. The Skyhawks scored 15 fast-break points, 11 more than the Mustangs.

Aurdey George (Longmont, CO/Niwot) led the Skyhawks with 17 points in the win. She also grabbed four rebounds, handed out two assists and snagged two steals. Allison Rosel (Colorado Springs, CO/Doherty) and Katie Mackey (Eaton, CO/Eaton) each scored 15 points, while Rosel recorded her fifth double-double by adding 10 rebounds and handing out an additional five assists.

Lauren Redfern (Carbondale, CO/Basalt) was the final Skyhawk in double figures with 13 points on 6-of-7 from the field. Lauren McCulloch (Allen, TX/Allen) added nine points on the night.

For the Mustangs, Whitney Lewis scored a game-high 21 points, while Ashley Vigil scored 13 and Jamonica Hudgins added 10.

The #9 Skyhawks return to action Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. in Las Vegas, NM against the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls. The game will be broadcast on KIUP 930 AM and online at www.radiodurango.com.

Box Score