Fort Lewis 87, New Mexico Highlands 70
The Fort Lewis College Men's basketball could not make reservations at some of Durango's finest restaurants on Valentine's Day, but did grab their biggest win of the year so far against New Mexico Highlands in Durango.
The Skyhawks beat the RMAC West division leading Cowboys 87-70, to take back a share of the division lead with just four games left in the regular season.
At the end of the game, a strong interior presence and the ability to reap the benefits of New Mexico Highland foul trouble lead the Skyhawks to victory.
The ball game remained close throughout, until there were only 5:19 left in the second half, when standout center Chris Dunn committed his fifth foul of the game, this one being a flagrant foul, followed immediately by a team technical foul being called on the Cowboys.
The Skyhawks showed their clutch shooting by draining all four free throws and pushing their lead up to 15 points with five minutes left in the game.
The interior game by the Skyhawks also helped bolster the home team to victory with 44 points down low. Center Kirk Archibeque scored 25 points, 15 in the first half, and drawing a multitude of fouls from the Cowboys with is physical presence.
Archibeque was good for us in the inside, he played a physical game but also kept his cool” Fort Lewis head coach
Bob Hofman said following the game.
The Skyhawks were also able to move the ball in the second half, which led to open looks and high percentage shots. “We played really well in the second half, at halftime I told the team to be sharp and strong, we weren't protecting the ball all that well in the first half, and had some lazy passes” Hofman said.
Archibeque led the team in scoring with 25, while followed by DeAndre Lansdowne, who performed well with three sensational dunks, and 20 points, and guard Ryan Jameson, who put together a solid game with 19 points and four assists.
Now with the lead in the RMAC west, the 20-6 record (11-4 in RMAC play), the Skyhawks will have another tough weekend against RMAC foes Mesa State and Western State on the road.
