November 20, 2009.  Durango, CO. -  There's no place like home when it comes to Fort Lewis Women's Basketball. The Skyhawks gave their fans a treat, beating the Red Storm of Dixie State 68-54 in their home opener of the 2009-10 season. Fort Lewis, who is ranked #5 in the nation, came out with a strong second half to stay undefeated at 5-0 on the season and dropping Dixie State to 0-1.

The Skyhawks jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead with baskets by Allison Rosel, Laura Haugen and Audrey George# in the first minute and twenty seconds, a lead they would not lose for the rest of the night. The Hawk's would go on yet another run, this time going up 18-5. The Red Storm was plagued by turnovers in the first half, committing 17, compliments to a tenacious defense and active press. Dixie took away the inside so the Skyhawks were able to penetrate and kick to find the open shooters who shot 42% from the field in the first half, including five 3-pointers. Katie Mackey led at the half with 9 points, all from beyond the arc.

Dixie State would come out with hope at the start of the second half cutting their deficit to one point (32-33) but Fort Lewis quickly diminished those hopes with a George bucket, a Haugen 3-pointer and a Rosel lay-up. The Hawks' would stretch the lead to as much as 16 in the second half with second chance points and fast break points off turnovers. When the buzzer sounded the scoreboard read 68-54.

Fort Lewis forced Dixie State into 27 turnovers and held them to just over 50 points. Fort Lewis was led by Rosel who finished with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6-6 from the charity stripe. Mackey recorded 15 points on 5-10 from the 3-point line and Haugen tallied 13 points respectively. George finished two points shy of a double-double with 8 points and 12 rebounds. Abby Jackson dished out 4 assists and had 3 steals.

Fort Lewis who is now 5-0 will take on Midwestern State (1-1) tonight at 5:30pm in the second night of the 2009 Skyhawk Classic. Midwestern State fell to the Mountaineers of Western State 53-71.