Written By: Durango Herald Sports Staff
February 13, 2010. Las Vegas, NM. - Friday's game between Fort Lewis College and New Mexico Highlands played out like an odd case of déjà vu.
Just like the Cowboys' victory Jan. 30 at Whalen Gymnasium, FLC staked Highlands to a big lead in the first half. But unlike the last time the two teams met, this game contained no valiant comeback attempt from the Skyhawks.
Highlands, led by Roman Andrade's 34 points, kept the Skyhawks at bay in the second half to win at home 96-85.
The Cowboys (15-7, 9-5 RMAC) spent most of the second half making timely shots and free throws to keep FLC (16-6, 10-4) at arm's length. The Highlands' lead fluctuated between 18 and nine in the half, thanks in large part to quality free throw shooting. The Cowboys were 29-for-31 from the line Friday.
“That's tough to overcome," Skyhawks coach Bob Hofman said. “They're a great team, and they were a step quicker than we were all night long."
Highlands pulled ahead by 18, 81-63, on a Kelvin Franklin layup with less than eight minutes left. FLC's DeAndre Landsdowne, who led the Skyhawks with 24 points, got it as close as 12 with 4:33 left, but that was as close as the Skyhawks would get until hitting a late 3-pointer to create the final margin.
Landsdowne was involved in what may have been an early nail in the coffin for Fort Lewis. He attempted to block a Highlands' shot from behind, but was whistled for a foul, his third, with 15:35 to go. According to Hofman, as he was walking away from the officials, Landsdowne threw his hands in the air, drawing a technical foul, which counted as his fourth personal.
The Cowboys would convert all three free throws and score on the ensuing possession to take a 64-48 lead.
Landsdowne's coach said he wasn't sure the technical was warranted. “He walked away from the referees and raised his hands up," Hofman said. “I think the ref thought he was being shown up, but he wasn't. It's just the way it goes."
After the loss, FLC sits in the middle of a struggle for the No. 2 spot in the RMAC West Division behind Mesa State. Highlands, the preseason favorite, sits only a game back of the Skyhawks, and tonight's opponent, CSU-Pueblo, sits just two back after beating Adams State on Friday. Despite the logjam, Hofman said he's not placing any extra importance on tonight's game, set to tip at 8 p.m.
“I don't like to look at that type of situation as more important," he said.
“They're all big games right now. It's nice to know as a team we still have big games left to play. We just need to rise to the occasion."
Box Score
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
