January 4th, 2010.  Portales, NM. -  The Fort Lewis Men's Basketball team started the new year out in the right direction, defeating the Zias of Eastern NM earlier this evening  82-59. The Skyhawks improve to 9-3 overall and 3-1 in the RMAC. 

The first ten minutes of the game went back forth between both teams. The Zias would only have the lead twice in the first half. At the 10:40 mark, Daniel Steffensen hit a three to put the Hawks' up 21-15. A jumper and two free throws from David Kanyinda would give the Skyhawks a 10-point advantage with nine minutes left. The Zias would fight back and cut the lead to three with 6:11 left to play in the first half but another late FLC run, led by Kyle Behrens, DeAndre Lansdowne and Torrey Udall would give Fort Lewis a ten point lead at the break (39-29).

The second half was all Fort Lewis as they were able to maintain a double-digit lead for the majority of the half. Around the six minute mark, FLC would go on a 15-6 run to close out the game for a 22-point victory 82-59.

Fort Lewis shot an impressive 52% from the field, 36% from three and 75% from the line. The Skyhawks were led by Behrens who recorded a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds on 7-10 from the field and 10-12 from the line. Following Behrens was Kanyinda and Lansdowne who tallied 19 and 16 points respectively. Lansdowne also had a team high 5 assists.

Eastern New Mexico had two players score 13 apiece in the game.

Fort Lewis will start back up with RMAC games this coming up weekend as they travel to Colorado Springs to take on UCCS at 8pm on Friday, January 8th.

Box Score