Box Score

DURANGO, Colo. — For the second night in a row, No. 3 Fort Lewis (10-0 overall, 5-0 in league games) jumped out to a huge lead on their way to a comfortable Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference women's basketball victory. Tonight, it was Western State (5-5, 3-3) who fell to the Skyhawks 68-54 after seeing FLC build a 12-0 lead in the first 4:06 at Whalen Gymnasium.

With the win, Fort Lewis started the season 10-0 for the first time in school history. The 2003-04 and 2009-10 teams each started 8-0, with the latter advancing all the way to the NCAA Division II championship game.

Against the Mountaineers, the Skyhawks had a balanced attack in which two starters and two reserved scored in double figures. Dana Schreibvogel led the way with 14 points, while fellow starting forward Mary Rose Paiz notched a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Reserves Katerina Garcia (11 points) and Stephanie Beeman (10 points, seven rebounds) also scored in double digits.

In extending its home winning streak to 37 games — dating back to a 71-53 loss to Western State on Feb. 23, 2008 — FLC relied on its trademark pressure defense and unselfish play. The Skyhawks forced 30 Mountaineer turnovers while limiting their opponents to just .298 shooting from the field (14 of 47) and .125 from three-point range (one of 12). One the offensive side, the team assisted on 23 of 27 field goals, with Garcia (six assists), Abby Jackson (five) and Ashley Kuchar (four) leading the way.

Fort Lewis led 35-22 at intermission and extended its margin to as many as 22 in the second half.

After a short holiday break, the Skyhawks ring in the New Year Nebraska-style with games at Chadron State (1-8, 0-6) at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 2 and at Nebraska-Kearney (4-6, 3-3) at 2 p.m. (MST) on Monday, Jan. 3.