Fort Lewis 78, Western State 56
DURANGO, CO - In his final game in Durango, senior Ryan Jameson wowed the Fort Lewis crowed, leading the Skyhawks past Western State college, 78-56 in the first round of the RMAC Shootout on Tuesday.
Jameson scored 28 points in his final home game as a Skyhawk, grabbing 18 of them within the first ten minutes of the game.
“He was unbelievable,” said head coach
Bob Hofman of Jameson.
“He really set the tone to this game, he is really focused right now and is one of the premier players in the RMAC” Hofman said.
The Skyhawks were ale to play a balanced game against the Mountaineers, owning the advantage in points scored in the pain, 34-28 fueled by center Kirk Archebeque's nine points and seven rebounds, and fast break points, 14-0.
The Skyhawks did not start the game on an offensive high note, relinquishing the first four points to the Mountaineers without scoring any of their own, until Jameson got the ball.
On back to back possessions, Jameson got an open look from downtown, and was able to make his three point shot, to give the Skyhawks a 6-4 lead in a hurry. Following the six unanswered Fort Lewis points, Jameson once again got the ball after a fast break and scored two more points to cap off minute and a half, even by Jameson's standards.
After the offensive spurt, the Skyhawks never trailed, leading 40-19 after the first half, and only letting the game get within 15 points three times in the second half.
More good news came to Fort Lewis, as Mesa State lost their first round RMAC Shootout game against Colorado State University Pueblo, insuring the Skyhawks a birth in the NCAA tournament, regardless of how the RMAC Shootout ends up.
The Skyhawks are still hungry to defend their RMAC Shootout victory from a year ago, and will have to beat Colorado Christian on Friday at 8pm in Pueblo to advance to the RMAC Shootout championship game on Saturday night.
In the one game between Fort Lewis and Colorado Chrisitian, the Skyhawks fell by a final of 75-78, but will look to avenge the loss on Friday night.
