Box Score

DURANGO, Colo. — Fort Lewis College (6-1 overall, 2-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) knocked Adams State College (5-1, 2-1) from the ranks of the NCAA Division II basketball undefeated with an 85-76 win tonight in Whalen Gymnasium.

But it was the way that the Skyhawks picked up the victory that was most surprising.

“It was a gut check,” said 15th year FLC head coach Bob Hofman. “They're a really physical team that plays hard and gets after it. It was a very good win over a very good team.”

The two teams combined for 65 fouls. Adams State committed 41 of those, one shy of the RMAC record for most fouls by one team (UC-Colorado committed 42 at Dixie State in a nonconference game on Dec. 1, 2007). Fort Lewis benefitted by taking 64 foul shots, breaking Regis' 12-year-old RMAC record of 62, set against Colorado Christian on Jan. 13, 1998.

The Skyhawks failed to capitalize on their free throws, though, making just 38 (.594).

“I'm disappointed we missed so many free throws, for the second game in a row,” said Hofman.

The physical affair played right into the hands of Matt Morris, FLC's 6-foot-6, 235-lb. center. Playing on a sprained ankle that forced him out of last Saturday's 78-74 loss at Colorado State-Pueblo, Morris notched his first double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. He made 14 of 19 free throw attempts.

“Matt Morris is just a warrior,” said Hofman, who admitted he played his junior post more than he'd planned on doing out of fear that his ankle would tighten up on the bench. “He just gutted it out.”

Morris said the battle was everything he expected. “This is the best team they've had in a long time,” he said. “Both teams have been waiting all week for this, so a lot of tension built up.”

Preseason RMAC Player of the Year (and Defensive Player of the Year) DeAndre Lansdowne led all players with 21 points and four steals, but struggled from both the field (six of 14) and the line (seven of 15). He did manage to hit a couple of key three-point bombs in a 23-second stretch midway through the second half to turn a five-point lead into an 11-point margin.

Three other Skyhawks scored in double figures: Daniel Steffensen (14 points, seven rebounds), Matt Billups (14 points, three assists) and Kyle Behrens (11 points, nine rebounds).

The Grizzlies were paced by Seth Heinbaugh, who scored 14 points on six-of-eight shooting from the field. Robby Hanzlik came off the bench to chip in 13 (going three-of-six from long distance), while Marqus Richards had a double-double with 12 points and 14 boards. David Anderson added 11.

Fort Lewis led 39-36 at halftime.

Fort Lewis continues its three-game homestand on Sunday, Dec. 19 against Mesa State (6-2, 2-2) and Monday, Dec. 20 against Western State (1-7, 0-4). Both games start at 7:30 p.m. The contests will be played on the odd dates due to Fort Lewis College's winter commencement, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 18 in Whalen Gymnasium.