Written By: Ryan Owens

January 31st, 2010.  Durango, CO. - During warmups before their Saturday night tilt with visiting New Mexico Highlands University, Fort Lewis College guard Mary Rose Paiz stumbled and fell to the floor, gathering herself with a laugh.

It was the only time the Skyhawks would stumble all night.

FLC, spurred by a 20-1 run to open the game, routed the Cowgirls 94-40 on Saturday night at Whalen Gymnasium. Fourteen different players scored for the eighth-ranked Skyhakws (21-2 overall, 11-1 RMAC), led by Katie Mackey's 14 points. Allison Rosel and Laura Haugen chipped in 13 apiece.

Coach Mark Kellogg called the game “almost perfect."

“I thought it was a complete game, from start to finish," Kellogg said. “I thought it was complete from the kids who started the game to the kids who were out there when it finished."

The Skyhawks' large margin of victory was due in large part to the play of their defense. Highlands (8-11, 3-8) was held without a field goal through the first 9:21 of the first half.

Haugen said getting off to a quick start was important after its rivalry game with CSU-Pueblo.

“We wanted to make sure we came out with just as much energy as (Friday) night and play a complete game like we did," she said.

The Cowgirls didn't find the going any easier after finally tallying a field goal. Highlands was held to just 14 first-half points, shooting only 21 percent in the half and 30 percent for the game. The Cowgirls also committed 32 turnovers.

The early lead allowed FLC to get their starters some much-needed rest after Friday's 82-68 win over the Thunderwolves, a game in which four starters played more than 30 minutes. The Skyhawks' bench responded, pouring in 40 points.

“We knew we needed to get the bench going," Kellogg said. “We have a great bench, it's a strength of ours, our balance."

FLC's seventh consecutive win also was important because it was the last chance to play before a home crowd before starting a four-game road trip Friday at Mesa State College.

“It gives us a big boost of confidence that helps springboard us on the road," Haugen said.

Kellogg said the trip will be a chance for his group to test itself on the road to a potential conference championship. “If you're going to win conference championships, you have to win on the road," he said. “I just hope we're ready and prepared, which we usually are. But it's important to rest up and be ready to go."

The time away from home could help the Skyhawks focus on the opponent and not get overly concerned with their No. 1 ranking in the NCAA Division II Central Region.

“We talked early in the year about what's at the end of the season, and then we said we're not talking about it again until we get there, because there's no guarantees you'll get there," Kellogg said. “It's a journey."

While it may not be in the forefront of their minds, Haugen said that holding on to the top seed is of critical importance, and that racking up home victories is a vital part of achieving that goal.

“It's really important, so that's why home weekends are important for us," she said. “That's why we try to take advantage of having a lot of fans and having a good time here, so it helps propel us when we get out on the road."

Box Score

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