Written By: Durango Herald Sports Staff
February 24, 2010. Alamosa, CO. - Shooting in the mid-40 percent range is excellent if you're shooting three-pointers. But when that's counterbalanced by a similar percentage from the free throw line, the numbers spell trouble.
The Fort Lewis College men's basketball team's hot three-point shooting was undone by a 12 of 26 performance from the foul line, and the Skyhawks were knocked off by Adams State 90-87 in overtime Tuesday night in Alamosa.
Trailing 88-87 with seven seconds left, the Skyhawks' DeAndre Landsdowne was rewarded for a rugged rebounding effort with two free throws following a Robby Hanzlik foul.
Unfortunately for FLC, Landsdowne missed both attempts, and Kyle Behrens' putback attempt also misfired.
Nick Fox corralled the rebound for Adams State, and knocked in both free throws following a foul with 2.7 seconds left. A desperation heave fell short at the buzzer for FLC.
“We just didn't do very well at the free throw line, and that's the bottom line," FLC coach Bob Hofman said.
“You're not going to win very many games shooting under 50 percent from the free throw line."
Landsdowne finished the night 9-20 from the field, but just 4-10 from the foul line, scoring 24 points.
David Kanyinda had the hot hand for the Skyhawks (18-8, 12-6 RMAC), inflating their 3-point average by drilling 9 of 16 attempts, finishing with 31 points and tying the school record for most three-pointers in a single game.
Fox led all scorers with 33, and Hanzlik chipped in 20 for the victorious Grizzlies (6-19, 3-14 RMAC).
“They did hurt us inside, and their bench players came out and played like a pretty big and physical team," Hofman said about the Adams State offense.
Fox sent the game to overtime by hitting a jumper with 13 seconds left to tie the game at 78.
FLC's Connor Drumm had a couple of chances to extend the lead late in regulation, but hit just 1 of 4 free throw attempts, and Daniel Steffensen's attempt at a game-winner missed as time expired.
“(Fox) had to make a very tough 15-foot bank shot," Hofman said. “More power to him."
Bench scoring turned out to be a big factor Tuesday. Adams State got 20 points from the reserves, led by Jack Osborn's 12-point night, while FLC's nonstarters chipped in only nine.
The Grizzlies also had a good shooting night of their own, hitting 52.6 percent from the field, and connecting on 7 of 16 three-point attempts.
“I probably should have used our bench more," Hofman said. “In my opinion, they had more energy than we did."
The Skyhawks return home Saturday for the regular-season finale against Western New Mexico.
Box Score
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