VERMILLION, SD - March 14, 2008 - The Fort Lewis College women's basketball team fell 58-66 to Nebraska-Kearney in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball national tournament. The Skyhawks conclude their season with the loss, but not before setting numerous single-season milestones.

The Skyhawks end the season an incredible 26-4 which breaks the single-season record for wins and sets the record for winning percentage in a season. The Skyhawks also went on a 22-game winning streak.

In a very defensive game, the Skyhawks and Lopers played a back-and-forth first half with six lead changes. Kearney held a three-point (37-34) advantage at the break. With 6:04 left in the first half Kearney scored a lay up and the teams did not score another point the remainder of the half. The teams combined for nine turnovers and 19 missed shots in the final minutes.

The two teams exchanged baskets and the lead for the first nine minutes of the second half before Kearney opened a five-point lead with 10:55 remaining. The Lopers improved their lead to as many as 11 at the 6:59 mark before the Skyhawks rallied to scored seven-straight and cut the lead to four (48-52) with 5:05 remaining. The Skyhawks then scored seven of the next 13 points to get as close as three after a Laura Haugen (Fort Collins, CO/Poudre) three-pointer from way downtown with 1:12 left in regulation. The Lopers then finished the final minute going 6-for-6 from the line and revenging a loss to Fort Lewis earlier in the season.

Haugen finished with a team-high 16 points, while Katie Mackey (Eaton, CO/Eaton) scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, including five offensive boards. The Lopers held FLC's leading scored and the nations leading field goal shooter, Allison Rosel (Colorado Springs, CO/Doherty) to just six points on 1-of-5 from the field.

The Skyhawks shot 31.7% in the game and 36.0% from beyond the arc. The statistical difference in Friday's game was the Lopers shooting, connecting on 44.9% of their shots. The Skyhawks turned the ball over 23 times in the game and caused 25 Loper turnovers.

The Skyhawks' season comes to an end after 26 victories and just four losses. They lose just one season to graduation and return five of their top six scorers. The Skyhawks, finished #11 in the final national poll which was released last week.

Box Score