Shoot for over 45 percent on the road and win by 21? Check. Go into the post season as the fourth best team in the nation and learning about the team's identity and mental toughness in the last month? Double check.
The Skyhawk Women's basketball team has made it through a tough February, loosing starter Laura Haugen to an ankle injury, and dealing with more adversity in their loss to Western State College about a week ago. But in the last week, a week in which the Skyhawks have played four games in just six days, Fort Lewis concluded it with a solid 83-62 win over Western New Mexico in Silver City, New Mexico.
The Skyhawks win was a microcosm of what they have been doing since November, move the ball around until a great look is there, and make the high percentage or open three point shot. Through another forty minutes of this unselfish play, the Skyhawks were able to boast six players who had a scoring night against the Cowgirls in double digits.
Alison Rosel and Audrey George led the way, with both standouts scoring 16 points for the game.
In this game, the Skyhawks were able to create their edge through hustle and tenacity, grabbing 21 offensive rebounds as a team, compared to only seven offensive boards for Western New Mexico.
The Fort Lewis defense started the game stoutly, holding the Cowgirls to just 22 points compared to the Skyhawks 47, and limiting Western New Mexico to 20 shots in the first half.
The Skyhawks will look for a strong defensive effort over the next couple of weeks as they look to prolong their season. Post season play will begin at 6pm on Tuesday, March 3rd, as Fort Lewis will host a first round game in the RMAC Shootout. The Skyhawks will be the number one seed, and will face the eight seed in the RMAC. Tip off will be at 6pm.
